The multisensory guidebook on art of "The Golden Age" is a completely new kind of project in Germany. The volume unites pictures to touch and to look at, along with texts in braille and common black writing, as well as a CD with description. It invites people to discover the internationally notable collection of Dutch paintings from the 17th century in the State Museum Schwerin in a entirely new way.
For this art adventure, eight original paintings from the collection of the State Museum Schwerin were digitally edited. Intensified contrasts add to an increased visibility of the paintings and bold reliefs help to feel the painting of the old masters. For each motive there is a second tactile picture from a detail section of the painting. Short explanatory texts - both in classic letters and braille writing - provide an overview of the contents of the paintings. Long versions of the texts are on the audio-CD. Together with sufficient descriptions of the paintings and the detail sections, just as well as every other text in the book.
The inclusive design of the book - consistent with Universal Design rules - is in particular exceptional. By combining all these different materials in a skillful way the book develops its own distinctive aesthetic.
The Read-Touch-Hear-Book wants to address all senses. If the visitors of the museum can hear the arching sails of a Bojort in rough sea, feel the bread crumbs on a smooth wooden table, and smell a bulging bouquet of wild roses, lilac and - of course - tulips, then impressions and experiences of art reach another level.
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Photo gallery: How the stencils of the tactile pictures came into being
