Project Beamup
What is it?
A temporary exhibition, created with visually impaired public in mind, by foundation Alberto Burri. This tour has the goal to let visually impaired visitors explore and embrace abstract artworks from artists such as Alberto Burri, through tactile models and audio description tracks. The exhibition catalogue was also translated into braille.
The museography was adapted to suit the project, in order to give enough space to include tactile models close to the original artworks.
Tactile models were created by artists, with counselling of Burri’s collaborators, to reproduce the artwork as faithfully as possible, with similar materials and gestures as the original artwork.
Tactile models come with an audio commentary tailored for visually impaired visitors, and also accessible to general audience. Audio commentaries can be accessed via a QR code.
Why is it important? / How can it help the professionals of the cultural sector?
Abstract art can seem like a challenge to make accessible to visually impaired visitors, because it seems difficult to describe non-figurative art. This tour is a good example of how it is possible to create an artistic and emotional encounter between the artwork and visually impaired public.
Project /organisation name
Where (country / region)
Type of institution
Permanent or temporary exhibition / project
Date
Physical / digital
Public targeted
Blind and visually impaired
Device/ inclusive features
Tactile models of some of Alberto Burri’s artworks, and audio description contents to guide the discovery of the artwork via tactile means. Guided visits of the exhibition tailored for visually impaired visitors.
Collaborations / partners
- Alberto Burri foundation (museum)
- ATLANTE Servizi Culturali (association offering cultural services to museums, with a special focus on disabilities)
- European Union (financing)
- Deborah Tramentozzi and Nadia Bredice (counsellors)
Funding
Financed from EU funds
Replicability/adaptability
2 elements to think through for replicating:
- Alberto Burri Foundation was accompanied by Deborah Tramentozzi, an expert in visual deficiencies, from the beginning of the project
- Tactile models were produced with the help of close collaborators from Alberto Burri
So, it is possible, but that requires collaboration with artists or specialists
Photos / videos to illustrate the good practice
Results / impact
The success of this exhibition led ATLANTE and Burri Foundation to take part of PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) to create a permanent collection of tactile models in a central building, palazzo Albizzini in Città di Castello. This idea was accepted by Italian government and it was presented on march 2nd, 2024.