Technasium students from the Roelof van Echten College in Hoogeveen, the Nieuwe Veste in Hardenberg and Coevorden and the Hondsrug College Emmen were all about the project in recent months: art can be experienced by the blind and visually impaired.
The students were commissioned by the Van Gogh House Drenthe. This period concerned three paintings: ‘Weed-burning farmer’, ‘The Turfschuit’ and the ‘Drawbridge in Veenoord’. The students were guided throughout the entire process. For example, they were allowed to ask questions to a visually impaired person, their prototype was tested and they experienced for themselves what it is like to see little or nothing.
Friday was the day and a group of students were given the opportunity to pitch their idea. The students presented the idea and prototype for each painting, after which the jury members had the opportunity to visit the market. Here questions were asked and the projects explained in more detail. In the end, it was up to the jury to make the difficult decision about the winning idea. That this would not be easy was immediately apparent from the first reactions. The jury was overwhelmed by the creativity and the amount of beautiful solutions.
Winners
The best idea for ‘Weed-burning farmer’ came from Nieuwe Veste Coevorden. They came up with a prototype with a very informative audio file, which is also suitable for people without vision problems.
The Turfschuit was made the best experience by the Hondsrug College. They made a 3D box of sustainable materials. The jury particularly praised the fact that all senses were addressed, the dimensions were exactly right and the project was therefore a good 3D representation of the real painting.
Finally, the first prize for ‘Drawbridge Veenoord’ went to Nieuwe Veste Hardenberg. They had cut the painting 3D out of wood. All elements could be touched with a magnetic speech pen that reproduced in sound what was ‘seen’.