This compelling video tells the story of an artist, Andrew Myers, who is so
moved by a blind man's joy at "feeling" three dimensional art that he is
inspired to create three dimensional portraits to be experienced by people who
are blind or visually impaired. Why is touching artwork so taboo? According to
the producers of the film, "Prior to the mid-1800s, tactile interaction was
commonplace for visitors experiencing collections of art, but as museums of art
evolved, rules forbidding touch became the norm."
In this film, Myers surprises George Wurtzel, a blind artisan working in wood,
with a portrait. Wurtzel delights in sharing his portrait with his visually
impaired students at Enchanted Hills Camp as he teaches them by example how to
work as a blind artisan. Wurtzel's philosophy that "your life is what you
decide it will be" permeates the film.
