Description
Book SynopsisBlind Visitor Experiences at Art Museums seeks to answer two questions:1.Given the guiding principle of visual art being understood only by sight, what do people understand when sight is diminished or not there?2.Moreover, given the experience of blindness, what are the effects of vision loss or no vision on a cultural identity in art?It does this by exploring seven in-depth case studies of visitors to the education department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the experiences of leading groups by two teachers. In addition, this book includes findings from participant observations in classes and touch tours for blind and visually impaired people at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.After reading this book, readers will understand both passive and active social exclusion from the museum's facilities (active exclusion is defined as a deliberate act of exclusion based on the belief that blind people are incapable of understanding visual art, whereas passive exclusion is defined
Trade ReviewSimon Hayhoe writes fluidly and pointedly and has unexcelled knowledge of the blind, education and the arts, in modern times and in the past. He is today’s go-to authority. -- John Kennedy, FRSC, Author, Drawing & the Blind
Dr. Hayhoe's book takes us on a fascinating journey led by an expert guide highlighting via case study and argument the passive exclusions our premier art museums demonstrate to people with no vision. He delivers a nuanced and persuasive account as to why we need a greater understanding of creativity, identity, and agency. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this welcome resource. -- John Ravenscroft, Chair of Childhood Visual Impairment, University of Edinburgh
Table of ContentsPart I: Theories on Blindness, Disability and Art Chapter 1: Why Do We Think That People Who Are Blind Cannot Understand the Visual Arts? Chapter 2: The Earliest Art Education of People Who Are Blind Part II: Case Study – Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Chapter 3: The Metropolitan Museum of Art: A New York Icon Chapter 4: Experiences of Verbal Imaging Chapter 5: Experiences of Teaching and Independent Visits Chapter 6: The Two Questions
