Iby Laschandré Coetzee
We are all blind unless we are willing to see through another person’s eyes.
The exhibition I am blind., by the Blind Photography Project (BPP), aims to explore new ways of looking at the city, build bridges between the blind and sighted, and challenge common assumptions about blindness. This exhibition showcases a selection of photographs taken during participatory photowalks done in Vienna (2015), Caracas (2016), and Windhoek (2018 and 2019). All photographs are taken by blind photographers and remain unedited.
By using photography as a tool, in the photo walks and now in this exhibition, the project opens up communication between the sighted and blind. The photographic works by the visually impaired in Vienna, Caracas and Windhoek, are presented together with the stories behind these photos, which are written in braille. The photo without the story is not enough, and in the same way the story without the photo cannot be understood. Therefore to gain real understanding, an exchange between the visitors must take place.
The space that the exhibition and the project thus aims to create is one in which the image of blindness falls to the background, and a two-way street of engagement is created by sharing our unique perspectives.“I like creating things within the minds of people which seem to be impossible in their idea of the world. And I’m sure that for many, being blind and taking pictures is one of those things. Some might just shake their heads in wonder, but for others, it might even open new perspectives about the great diversity of the world,”. (Project participant)
All photographs and interactions in the exhibition are informed by the blind participants and collaborators of the project. We look forward to welcoming you all!
Credits
Project and exhibition concept by Alejandra Loreto and Laschandré Coetzee of the Blind Photography Project
Photographs by Angela Engel (VIE), Mathias Schmuckerschlag (VIE), Diego Frontado (CAR), Victor Mendiola (CAR), Ydakzue Perdomo (CAR), Ananias Shikongo (WHK), Leticia Bower (WHK) and Susan Mundjebela (WHK)Funding project partners in Namibia: National Arts Council Namibia, Goethe-Institut Namibia and Turipamwe Design
