The Fruitmarket Gallery, in collaboration with See with Me, has been working with blind and visually impaired people for the past three years to create an innovative exhibition that explores the relationship between blindness and art. This groundbreaking project has resulted in a visually stunning exhibition that will be open to the public until 13 May 2025.
“We are thrilled to be working with the See with Me project, which embodies the spirit of collaboration and inclusivity that we strive for at Fruitmarket.”
Sara Hopkins, Curator at Fruitmarket
The exhibition, which opens on Wednesday, features a range of interactive installations and displays that cater to the needs of blind and visually impaired visitors. Some of the highlights include:
- Touch boxes: Every display at the gallery has been equipped with touch boxes, allowing visitors to explore the artwork through touch alone.
- Deconstructed maps: Personal stories are displayed on a scaffold, accompanied by deconstructed maps that provide tactile information about the artwork and its context.
- Tactile tabard artworks: Tactile tabard artworks hang on hangers, providing visitors with a unique and immersive experience.
Throughout the exhibition, assistants will be on hand to provide visual descriptions of the artwork, ensuring that all visitors, including those who are blind or visually impaired, can fully engage with the exhibition. Interactive Installations:
The exhibition features a range of interactive installations that allow visitors to engage with the artwork in a hands-on way. These installations are designed to be accessible to all visitors, regardless of their visual ability.
- Assistants: Assistants will be on hand throughout the exhibition to provide visual descriptions of the artwork, ensuring that all visitors can fully engage with the exhibition.
- Interactive displays: The exhibition features a range of interactive displays that allow visitors to explore the artwork through touch alone.
- Tactile experiences: Visitors can experience the artwork through touch, using a range of tactile tools and devices.
One of the unique features of the exhibition is the use of deconstructed maps with personal stories. These maps are displayed on a scaffold, providing a tactile and immersive experience for visitors. The personal stories that accompany the maps provide a unique perspective on the artwork and its context. Accessibility Features:
The exhibition features a range of accessibility features that cater to the needs of blind and visually impaired visitors. Some of the features include:
- Touch boxes: Every display at the gallery has been equipped with touch boxes, allowing visitors to explore the artwork through touch alone.
- Deconstructed maps: Personal stories are displayed on a scaffold, accompanied by deconstructed maps that provide tactile information about the artwork and its context.
- Tactile tabard artworks: Tactile tabard artworks hang on hangers, providing visitors with a unique and immersive experience.
The exhibition aims to ensure that visually impaired visitors get the most out of Fruitmarket exhibitions and highlight the great work being made by the participants. The project follows the social model of disability, which focuses on removing barriers in society.