Kestrell

Kes: As this article points out, Western culture tends to think of all art as visual, even that which specifically seems to invite touch, such as sculpture. I'm intrigued by the idea that blind people should come to an artwork with no background information though--I'm not sure I get the justification for this.

A feel for art
Natasha Wong
Friday, December 31, 2010
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=36&art_id=106577&sid=30777379&con_type=1&d_str=20101231

Auguste Rodin, the French genius in modeling human forms, often referred to his sculptures as une affaire de creux et de bosses - a case of hollows and bumps.

Despite the fact that art, especially sculpture, has a tactile quality, museum displays often come with a huge Do Not Touch sign.

But not at the Touching Art: Louvres Sculptures in Movement exhibition now on an Asian tour to Hong Kong. You are encouraged to appreciate art by touching and running your hands around it.

Endorsed by the Tactile Gallery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, the exhibition is on view at the Hong Kong Museum of Art.

The Tactile Gallery, opened in 1995, is targeted mainly at the blind and visually impaired. It is the only space in the Louvre where visitors can touch artworks with their hands with no stop signs, no guards or alarms.
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