Down the Rabbit Hole

For our Down the Rabbit Hole Assignment I decided to start with the first 3D sculpture that was made to be touched, “Plâtre à toucher chez de Zayas” by Edith Clifford Williams - 1916. I started by looking up additional pictures and information about the artist.I love the idea of this and think it really challenges the idea of what is appropriate when it comes to viewing art and puts more of a focus on experiencing art in a gallery rather than just viewing it. I think there is something just so much more special about a piece like this that allows you to experience it in more ways and I think that being able to touch and feel it appeals to our instincts and makes us feel a much stronger and more personal connection to the piece.

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I then wanted to look into other sculptures that were also made to be touched. In the web page I linked above, that spoke more of the artist, they make a reference to "tactile art" and decided to give that a good google. Touching art is something I always want to do especially sculptures so this is a long overdue adventure. While reading up on tactile art I was surprised to see many articles about creating art for the blind, admittedly, something I feel guilty about for never even thinking about before. I found a really nice video in an article from the Smithsonian. In the video "Please touch the Art". The Artist Andrew Myers talks about how he started using painted screws to create 3D painted/sculpted portraits and how he then got into making art for the blind community. I took a look at Andrew Myers' Website and found the portrait he did of the man in the video along with two others I really enjoyed, because what is better than cooking/baking and whiskey (especially Maker's Mark). ;)

George Wurtzel

When Life GIves You Lemons

A Little Tipsy

But in all seriousness I really love the idea behind these pieces, and bringing art to people who normally can not traditionally enjoy it is such a great thing.

I also read this article from The Atlantic which started with the topic of tactile art being great for the visually impaired but then also moved into the idea of it challenging the standard rules and expectations of traditional art museums (no touch) and using touch, and even other senses too (besides just visuals) to create a much richer experience for museum goers and I am 100% behind this because as I have said before people WANT to touch art.

This topic is actually something I already wanted to discuss in my thesis, as I think bringing touch is a great way to make a piece more interactive and therefor better experience. I am definitely going to be looking more into tactical art and art that is meant to be felt. I wish I was able to visit some art museums and experience more of this art for myself, however, with COVID being such a concern right now it is difficult to find art museums that are open, and I am sure exhibits that encourage touch would really be a hard no in these times. So that is a bit disappointing and worrying to my thesis, but after we make it through these difficult and challenging times I hope that more art is made to be touched and experienced in new ways that delight our other senses.