Tactile Series 1
2024
Textured Paintings
These four acrylic paintings were layered with raised dots of paint. Each color is coded with its own size and spacing of dots so that not only are people able to see the difference in color and pattern, they can feel it too. Braille is a tactile writing system using raised dots that allows people who are blind or visually impaired to read and write. Each letter, number, and symbol consists of a different combination of dots. While these paintings are not exactly braille, the ability to communicate something with dots definitely served as a huge inspiration for these pieces.
Raised Pentagonal Pattern
This sculptural piece aims to serve as a 3-dimensional interpretation of the patterns that dominate Elizabeth's 2-dimensional work. Again taking inspiration from braille and also accessible museums like Museo Tiflológico in Madrid, Spain, she was interested in the idea of taking something we normally only look at with our eyes and turning it into an model that can be analyzed with our hands. Each pentagon was individually cut from wood by hand and sanded down to its proper size. The piece was glued and painted, using a dropper to give texture to the top layer of shapes. Much of her art is unified by this methodical and often tedious ways of working.
Texture Tester 3000
Our knowledge of the human brain and its functions is fairly limited with much more left to be discovered. In 2013 scientists at the University of Chicago performed a study to analyze the physiological processes that occur in our bodies which allow us to perceive different textures. By lining a rotating drum with numerous different textured materials, they were able to drag their fingers from one to another and observe the neurological changes. What they discovered is that different textures trigger a response from different groups of neurons in the brain which is what gives us such a "richness of the sensation." The "Texture Tester 3000" is a playful ode to this study; viewers can run their hands across the drums and note how they respond to the different textures.
Good Vibrations
Not only does our sense of touch allow our brains to interpret different textures, it also gives us the ability to perceive different physical sensations like vibration. "Good Vibrations" harnesses that sensation in a simple yet enriching way. Powered by one single motor, the small silicone beads dance around the shaking table. Viewers are invited to skim their hands over and through the beads and let them tickle their palms — a feeling similar to the pitter patter of rain on your skin. Paired with the white noise of the motor, this interactive piece provides soothing sensory input which can benefit the emotional regulation in individuals who may have different sensory needs whether that be sensory seeking or avoidant or anything in between.
Textured Mosaic
This eclectic mosaic is a collaborative project with students at the Ohio State School for the Blind in art teacher Richard Ratvasky's class. They were each provided with a hexagonal wood tile and a slew of materials and textures to analyze, discuss, and then create their own tactile collages with. Their individual tiles were then arranged into a symmetrical pattern and propped up at an angle to invite viewers to touch and interact with all of the various elements. The goal of this series and show is to create inclusive spaces in the art world for people who may not be able to access it visually. Not only is every piece in this series able to be physically interacted with, it also felt extremely important to involve members of that community in the creation process. Thus the connection with OSSB was established and the "Textured Mosaic" was born.
Huge thank you to OSSB — Richard Ratvasky and all the students who participated: Brenna Farmer, Brian Patton-Adams, Jayven Hall, Leo Salyers, Christian Hill, Jadin White, Emry Walker, Olivia Jenkins, and Jonathan Schwind
