A Université de Montréal student has created an exhibit in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts that's designed for the visually impaired, giving them a way to process and enjoy the painting through their sense of touch.
The goal of Patricia Bérubé's Art History master degree project was to represent a painting and all its colours in a tactile way for those who can't see.
Bérubé said she felt that blind people were often excluded from attractions such as museums so using her technical background in 3D animation, she decided to create something that could help them.
"Some people are blind and this is normal and they have their place in the museum," said Bérubé.
Patricia Bérubé
Bérubé transformed Québécois artist Alfred Pelland's painting, "Prisme d'yeux" into a tactile painting, with braille and different textures to represent the colours of the painting.
But she said don't be concerned if you're not familiar with braille because the prototype is designed for everyone to enjoy.
"For other people that don't know braille, well, there will be a guide to tell you what texture is what colour," said Bérubé.
According to Bérubé, the project is a great way to raise awareness about the difficulties encountered by the visually impaired. It can also offer parents a way to introduce the notion of blindness to their children.
"Especially for kids who like to touch everything in the museum. So they could touch it and a parent, for example, could explain, well, you know, for some people, this is the only translation of the painting that's possible," said Bérubé.
Bérubé said she believes members of the blind community have a special appreciation for art and now through her project, they are able to understand colours through their sense of touch.
"They bring something so much more valuable [...] They have a different perception and the way they appreciate art and how art could help them to be included in the society," said Bérubé.
The project will be in place at the museum for the next year.
Patricia Bérubé