It is almost impossible for blind and visually impaired people to access art and exhibitions. For many people, works of art, which are usually perceived visually, remain off limits, and the cultural experience of a visit to an art gallery or museum is denied them.
The Library endeavors to reduce the social, cultural and educational gap, not just in reading, but in all cultural fields where blind people are excluded from experiences that are available to sighted people. To this end the Library is developing the field of accessible art, with the aim of enabling anyone who is interested in so doing to enjoy works of art, exhibitions and more.
In collaboration with museums and curators, the Library creates the best and most appropriate way to make the exhibition accessible to blind and visually impaired people. These include an extended descriptive text giving a detailed overview of each presentation, conversion of the exhibition text to Braille and audio, touch-tours that allow visitors to feel the exhibits, and production of replicas or embossed
pictures of the original exhibits, so that the visitor can feel them without worrying.
Pablo Picasso with embossed graphics, from the Tel Aviv Museum of Art - The Accessible Collection: The Central Library for the Blind and Reading Impaired. Accessibility consultant: Vered Ginsburg.
© Succession Picasso, 2018
Exhibitions the Library has made accessible include: The Initiative for Tactile Art, Points to Infinity, Lines - and more.