How groundbreaking tech enables the visually impaired to 'see' photographs at WORLD UNSEEN exhibit (on at Iziko Museum)

CapeTalk's Sara-Jayne Makwala King is joined by David Preston, MD of Canon South Africa.

Imagine walking into an art exhibition where your eyes aren’t the only way to experience the work; but where texture, touch, and imagination guide your understanding.
 
That’s exactly what World Unseen, now on at the Iziko South African Museum in Gardens in Cape Town, aims to achieve. 

The Canon company promises that you will experience art 'like never before' at the exhibit, launched in partnership with BlindSA, the British High Commission, and Iziko.

It marks the bicentenary of braille, the writing system developed for use by blind or visually impaired people. 

The exhibition showcases a diverse collection of work by globally acclaimed photographers and Canon ambassadors, including multi-award-winning South African photojournalist Brent Stirton.

Canon says the initiative forms part of its commitment to foster spaces of inclusivity and diversity.

"Inclusive representation in art plays a critical role in validating identities and experiences that have long been ignored or misrepresented. When people see their lives and stories authentically reflected in artistic work, it affirms their place in society and fosters a deeper sense of connection, empathy, and belonging."

Canon

MD of Canon SA, David Preston, tries to explain in a simple way how the technology that is used actually works.

In a nutshell, they put down layers of ink which are multiple times less than a human hair in thickness, he says.

"We use a UV (ultraviolet) gel which is then cured or hardened by UV light. As this happens, it builds up the layers - imagine in any photograph you've got areas of dark and shade and from a visual perspective what you can see is the differences in the texture. Our PRISMAelevate XL software builds up these layers so you can actually then FEEL the different textures."

David Preston, MD - Canon South Africa

Preston uses the example of the Stirton photograph on display featuring an endangered white rhino protected by guards in the bush.

"You can feel the indentations and creases in the skin of the rhino, you can feel the guns, you can feel the horn of the animal."

David Preston, MD - Canon South Africa

To add to this sensory experience, they provide an audio description as well as a braille description of the image.

The combination gives people a really good sense of what the image is about, he explains.

Preston also highlights that this can be a very emotional experience for both the visitors and the organisers.

"When I first saw this in the UK last year and witnessed the reaction from partially sighted or blind people it was a very emotional journey for them and also, I think, for those of us observing what was going on."

David Preston, MD - Canon South Africa

The exhibit is on for the month of September and tickets are available on Webtickets or at the door.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview