A whole new world

Abstract

Creating art without seeing has inspired both visual and non-visual artists. In this study, I aimed to investigate this phenomenon of creating art without using sight. I asked the questions: How can one do so? What adaptations need to be done to create art in this way? Finally, how can this affect art in education? Research has shown that the brain processes certain tactile and visual information in a similar way. This enables us to visualise and create something without seeing. The study is qualitative and is divided into two cycles. In the initial stage, the idea of being blind and creating art was explored. I spent five days constantly blindfolded which served to perfect and understand how to teach people to create something without seeing. In cycle 2, I gave an art course I had designed, to 10 people varying between ages 7 to 60’s. All findings in cycle 1 proved crucial for the delivery of the art course. The participants challenged their sense of touch and sound and created a variety of works. During this process of art-making different adaptations and strategies where explored. The results showed that creating art this way might help to train ones short and long term memory and, help cultivate creative thinking and problem solving skills. It has also shown to help participants be more empathetic towards people who suffer from blindness. It was also noted that this course might work best with students who are older and simpler activities using a blindfold could be used to teach younger students.