Fondation Folon

Some of Folon’s works have been revisited by specialists in collaboration with EQLA (Belgian association for the blind and partly sighted). Visitors, whether sighted (blindfolded), visually impaired or blind, can now appreciate them through touch. A sound installation stimulates visitors’ emotions and helps them to interpret all the different messages and themes present in the works.

Promoting inclusion and accessibility

The initiative makes a significant contribution to making culture more accessible to everyone, regardless of visual impairment. By enabling a tactile and aural experience of works of art, the project ensures that people with visual impairments can also enjoy and participate fully in the cultural experience, which is a fundamental right.

Improving the museum experience for all

By introducing alternative sensory modalities, such as touching and listening, the project enriches the experience for all visitors. This multi-sensory approach can offer new and deeper perspectives on the works, even for those without visual limitations.

Education and awareness

This type of project educates the public about the diversity of sensory experiences and the capabilities of people with disabilities, fostering greater empathy and understanding through shared experiences.

Innovation in presentation and interpretation

Professionals are encouraged to think innovatively about the presentation and interpretation of artworks. This can lead to more creative and experimental practices across the sector, enriching cultural offerings for a wider audience

Blind and visually impaired

A sound installation stimulates visitors’ emotions and helps them to interpret all the different messages and themes present in the works.

EQLA

• Fondation Folon ASBL
• Walloon Region

The technique of making works of art accessible through touch and auditory supports can be adapted to many forms of art, including sculptures, installations, and even certain forms of painting adapted for this experience. Each museum or cultural institution can select relevant works from their collection for such adaptation.

First and foremost, this project has a social impact because it promotes the inclusion of people with visual impairments by giving them access to works of art in a way that respects their sensory needs. This helps to remove barriers to cultural participation and strengthens disabled visitors’ sense of belonging and self-esteem.

By offering an experience that can be shared by people of different visual abilities, the project raises awareness among the general public of the challenges faced by disabled people and promotes a greater understanding of the diversity of human experience.

Secondly, it has an educational impact as the multi-sensory approach enriches the educational experience for all visitors, enabling a deeper and more memorable understanding of the works. This type of learning can be particularly effective for young people and students, offering new ways of engaging with the content.

Finally, it also has a cultural impact by enriching the museum experience. By integrating tactile and audio experiences, museums can offer unique perspectives on works of art, potentially revealing details or emotions that are not perceptible through sight alone. This can enrich the artistic interpretation and offer a more complete experience.