Sensations 3D Art Experience by NAFVan and Voices for Hope Foundation
Vancouver, BC - The New Art Foundation of Vancouver (NAFVan) is partnering with Voices for Hope Foundation to host a 3D art exhibit designed for individuals with visual impairments and sensory needs.
NAFVan is a non-profit organization that supports creative individuals of all backgrounds by hosting high-quality, innovative events that generate interest in the Vancouver community. Their goal is to merge creativity, technology and multidisciplinary collaboration to use art as a tool for social change.
Voices for Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports marginalized communities through policy and advocacy, community-based projects, and campaigns. Founder Rabiah Dhaliwal has been recognized with multiple awards in the diversity and inclusion space, including the Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero Award in 2021 and the B.C. Lieutenant Governor’s Medal in 2023. Voices for Hope's accessibility initiatives have included integrating sensory technologies in educational institutions for neurodiverse students and providing micro-grants and support packages for Indigenous populations in Vancouver.
Through this partnership, the organizations raise awareness about the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals and the need for greater accessibility in the art world:
“Art institutions have a duty to cater to people with a wide range of needs, including visually impaired individuals. Globally, approximately 1.3 billion people are living with some form of blindness or visual impairment, and an estimated 1.5 million Canadians identify themselves as having a sight loss. Yet for many, a visit to a museum or exhibit has the potential to make them feel excluded. The traditional museum experience of objects behind glass does not offer much to a person who is blind or partially-sighted.”
The organizations seek to fill this gap by organizing an exhibit that features a tactile art medium: touchable 3D printed art. It will also incorporate the use of other tactile displays, braille labeling, and audio guides to increase accessibility.
Ten high-quality works, representative of both classic and contemporary styles and genres, will be 3D generated and printed to allow visitors to feel the accentuated contours of the brush strokes and mentally recreate the paintings.
The works include a curated collection of 5 original contemporary artworks by Vancouver-based artist, Lily Bai, alongside 5 educational masterpiece selections from renowned artists such as Picasso, O’Keeffe, and Kandinsky. The exhibit also aims to include an educational section and supporting educational materials and resources for the general public, with a focus on youth, providing insights into the historical and cultural significance of the displayed masterpieces and different tactile art mediums.
After a successful launch in Vancouver in Fall 2023, the exhibition plans to travel to other galleries and venues in the region, bringing this unique experience to a wider audience.
By fusing art with technology to create an exhibit that is accessible to a wider audience, Sensations 3D Art Experience advocates for inclusivity and encourages visitors to think critically about the role of art in society and how it can be used to challenge traditional notions of accessibility and representation.
For more information about the New Art Foundation of Vancouver and Voices for Hope Foundation, please visit our websites.
New Art Foundation of Vancouver
Email: info@nafvan.com
Website: https://www.nafvan.com/
Voices for Hope Foundation
