Decoding braille
Clarke Reynolds
Introduction
My first Braille solo exhibition is a culmination of 18 months research exploring Braille as a visual language.
Inspired by print as a Braille typographer I wanted to show the beauty in that tiny dot when its enlarged as Braille is not meant to be seen only touched. I created a colour coded system each letter pattern was given its only colour so that a sighted person could learn braille threw colour association just as the brain recognises patterns in daily life.
The idea is that as you walk around and decode it with a key, the person would start to remember the pattern hence learn Braille. What made it more special was that the dots were raised so that visually impaired people could read the art by touch so they were on par with a sighted person in this exhibition.
There was 26 canvases. Each one represented a word beginning with each letter of the alphabet, with its definition written in braille. Each canvas was in the colour of the letter so it became a self portrait in words.
Braille art at yellow edge June 2021
Seeing without seeing
Artwork
Alphabet
Amplify
To increase in size to expand a narrative origin from latin amplificare to enlarge
Braille
A system of writing using raised dots for people with low vision identified by touch
Coding
A pattern of symbols used to represent letters or numbers in transmitting messages
Dots
A small round mark written or printed used in the art technique of pointillism painting
Engage
To attract and hold attention to take part and participate in art and conversation
Formula
A method pattern or rule for doing and producing something often proved successful
Graphic
Relating to visual art especially involving drawing or engraving and typography
Haptics
Is that subsystem of non language communication which shows meaning through touching
Impaired
People who have a physical or mental disability for example I’m visually impaired
Journey
It can refer to a persons experience of changing or developing like losing your sight
Knowledge
Facts or information and skills acquired though experience or educational means
Language
The principle method of human communication using words in a structured formation
Memory
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information from past and present
Narrative
Representing stories or events pictorially or sculpturally in statement art pieces
Oxymoron
Figure of speech in which opposite words are combined for effect blind visual artist
Pattern
A natural or accidental arrangement of sequences usually found in many artistic designs
Quizzical
Act of a persons expression or behaviour indicating mild odd and amused puzzlement
Recite
To repeat N utter something memorized or rehearsed from Latin recitare to read aloud
Structure
Having a distinct physical shape formation provided by a predetermined pattern
Tactile
Designed to be perceived by touch producing a sensation can be navigated by feeling
Unique
Sometimes used informally to mean very remarkable or unusual like one of a kind painting
Visual
A picture that appeals to the sense of sight from Latin visus a sight from videre to see
Words
Combination of letters it’s representation in writing to communicate a point
Xenagogue
A guide someone who conducts strangers guide them threw my decoding Braille exhibit
Yippee
To express wild excitement with exuberant delight and triumph over my art exhibition
Zazzy
Nineteen sixties slang for something colourful a combination of the words zippy and jazzy