July 20, 2006
In touch with art: Harborview hosts work of Seattle Braille artist
By Peggy Weis
Harborview Art Program Manager
As part of the Harborview art program’s series of temporary public art exhibitions, photographs from Seattle artist Spike Mafford’s “Braille Portfolio” are currently on view in the medical center’s Ground West Lobby, cafeteria, and the foyer of the Research & Training Building.
In a departure from conventional digital photography, Mafford applies text in the form of Braille (clear, raised plastic dots) to the surface of each image. This text provides poetic interpretations of the scenes depicted, so that the photographs can be understood and appreciated by individuals with reduced or impaired vision, as well as by the fully sighted.
Even though he initially struggled with the taboo against touching art, Mafford gradually accepted that he would have to break his rule to make the work accessible to new audiences. Now he encourages people to touch and welcomes the physical changes that result when fingers move over the photographs. “I like the idea of people reaching out to touch the image; in a sense, I am reaching out to touch the viewer, and I like the idea of that reach returning.”
Mafford’s work will remain on display at Harborview throughout the summer. For more information about the artist or his work, contact Peggy Weiss, Harborview art program manager, at pweiss@u.washington.edu.
