Graduation Year
2015
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Art
Reader 1
Susan Rankaitis
Reader 2
Julia Haft-Candell
Reader 3
Nancy Macko
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2014 Seana Rothman
Abstract
This paper addresses the relationship between the visually impaired and the visual arts. The first section focuses on the scientific background of sight and vision disorders, as well as touch. Current research indicates that the blind can process complex spatial information through touch, just as the sighted can through vision. Thus visual art can be accessible to visually impaired people if it contains tactile information, such as 3D shapes or textures. However, galleries traditionally display art that visitors are only able to interpret visually, excluding the visually impaired and blind. My Fall project aims to challenge the dominant visual mode of interaction with art through a personal lens. By creating 3D works that are touch-accessible, both sighted and non-sighted people can experience my art.
Recommended Citation
Rothman, Seana, "Losing Vision: What Can Art Gain in the Absence of Sight?" (2015). Scripps Senior Theses. 544.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/544
