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

Alphabet.JPG

Amplify

To increase in size to expand a narrative origin from latin amplificare to enlarge 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

Relating to visual art especially involving drawing or engraving and typography 


Haptics

Is that subsystem of non language communication which shows meaning through touching 

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 

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 

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 

Facts or information and skills acquired though experience or educational means 


Language

The principle method of human communication using words in a structured formation 

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 

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 

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

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

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

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 

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 

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 

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 

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

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 

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 

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 

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 

Nineteen sixties slang for something colourful a combination of the words zippy and jazzy 


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I can SEE