The Blind Will Now Be Able To “See” Famous Artworks For The First Time Thanks To This New Project

The Unseen Art Project is a 3D printing project, which is being run by the Helsinki-based designer Marc Dillon. Why, you may ask, is Marc Dillion going through so much effort to 3D-print some of the most famous pieces of art to ever grace this earth? Well, the answer to that one is easy; Dillion wants to give blind people the opportunity to experience classical art that, frankly, many sight-abled people definitely take for granted. Which, to me, is so, so incredible.

“Imagine not knowing what Mona Lisa’s smile looks like, or Van Gogh’s sunflowers. Imagine you heard people talking about them and knew they existed, but could never experience them for yourself. For the millions of people who are blind, that’s a reality,” the project explains in a video (you can find the video at the end of this article!).

Basically, they plan to use 3D imaging along with sand-based 3D printing in order to be able to recreate these precious works of art on a scale and quality grand enough that they can actually be put on display in museums along with their “real” counterparts.

Despite the fact that their approach is rather unique, the Unseen Art project is actually not the first one to have come up with this unusual yet fascinating concept. 3D printing, as is turns out, has actually been used to turn photos into “Touchable Memories” before, and have even been able to help a blind mother actually “see” the ultrasound of her unborn child. (No, I’m not crying, you’re crying!)

Unseen Art is currently running an IndieGoGo fundraiser, so, if you’re as inspired as I am by what they’re trying to achieve, please consider chipping in. I mean, what could actually be a better cause than this one?

Below you’ll find some progress images from the Unseen Art project and their recent work with turning the Mona Lisa into a 3d-sculpture detailed enough for blind people to actually be able to “see” for themselves:

“It would be a revolution to get blind people going to art galleries, people hate them because there is nothing there to touch!” says the designer of the project himself, Marc Dillon.

He’s currently trying to raise enough money to be able to create an online repository where artists could submit their art in 3D formats, letting anyone with a 3D printer be able to print it!

So if you like what they’re doing, dig deep! You can truly help them with their IndieGoGo fundraiser

And if you’re still not convinced, below is the video which shows Riikka Kontio, who is, in fact, blind, feel (or “see”) the Mona Lisa for the first time ever. (I’ll warn you now – it’s pretty freakin’ emotional!):

Truly, truly incredible. I applaud Marc Dillon and his hard-working designer team on this incredible feat they striving to achieve, and wish them all the best in this inspirational endeavor!

Let me know your thoughts on the Unseen Project! Do you know anyone who would love to “see” the great works from some of the most genius artistic minds on the planet? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to share this with all your friends and family too! x

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