Common Touch

The art of the senses in the history of the blind

Common Touch: The Art of the Senses in the History of the Blind was a multimedia exhibition that looked at historical embossed and raised-letter documents for the visually impaired as a starting point for a multi-sensory exploration of the nature of perception. Inspired by her research in the Library Company’s Collection of Printing for the Blind, artist-in-residence Teresa Jaynes combined her own original works with historical collections that document the education of the blind in the 19th century.

To address these concerns, I chose a variety of different papers, ranging from un-coated to coated, textured and smooth, each giving a different feel to each section of the catalog. I worked with our printer in Canada to select an exposed binding with thread, giving the catalog an extra touch point. We also included a section of the publications text in braille print, a direct reference to the exhibition theme, to ensure that the catalog could be enjoyed by as wide an audience as possible.