Listen and record, a story by Juro Osawa — is the first story in the Braille Project that has been created into Braille wallpaper by Ilias Fotopoulos.
The project aims to collaborate with culturally diverse and visually impaired writers and artists to publish their work in this new format as 3 dimensional, readable wallpaper (and in the long term textiles) using a variety of 3 dimensional media.
The Braille project aims to: question notions of decoration, publishing, accessibility of design and interaction of the observer through the universal language of 3 dimensional braille.
As designers, do we really address important issues or are we decorators, players of pattern and colour? What can we do to give at least some out of work purpose?
The project asks: is design really accessible to all?
It will examine design accessibility through role reversal — a visually impaired person will be able to touch the wallpaper and read the story where as sighted observers will remain observers of a tactile pattern that they will touch and feel through its 3 dimensionality. It will be sighted people who are excluded from the language of the design created — a role they are usually unaccustomed to and which visually impaired people must deal with on a daily basis.
The project also examines process of design: normally a controlled process, in this instance, the braille takes on a form of its own: It cannot be manipulated, apart from colouration. the designer and observer may like the story, dislike the pattern or the opposite. The designer relinquishes control of end result and the finished piece contains an inherent duality.
The long term goal is to raise the profile of visual impairment and of visually impaired people as members of society, as artists, writers, musicians etc. And to ultimately create a system of mass produced braille signage and labelling for store fonts, supermarkets and the linke. We have alot of work to do!
The Braille project was launched in Tokyo at 100% Design Tokyo (November 2007) and in Europe at 100% Design London (September 2008). Listen and record wallpaper in Braille was acquired (January 2010) by the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum in New York to be park of its permanent collection.
Supported by The Australia Council for the Arts.
Download Ilias' interview on FBI Radio Arts program about the Braille Project
Read 'Listen and Record'
In its second year, entries are now open for the Braille Project part 2. The project aims to raise awareness and publish work of visually impaired and culturally diverse artists/writers in the form of 3 dimensional, useable wallcoverings that tell a story. The Braille Project is supported by the Australia Council for the Arts.
Submit your story in the form below. There is a 300 word limit but your story may be as short as one word.
Your entry
By entering the Braille project, you acknowledge that you have read and accept the Terms and information below: