Braille Graffiti

Fantastic Idea: WHY shouldn't blind folks get the opportunity to experience graffiti? Their friends can alert them to the graffiti and they can "read" it in their own way, this is what is called INCLUSION in the world. This calls attention to the many many blind folks in our universe that we all mainly ignore most of the time. Way to go! for trying to be in "touch" with all people.

Perhaps this matter is being blown just a little out of proportion, as is the matter of graffiti itself. Although I'm not visually challenged, for the past several years I've supported the blind by including my url in braille on all my business cards. The website itself is growing and carries something like 1500 samples of street graffiti so far.

Think about this:

The average blind person, although seldom totally sightless, reads on average 60 books per year. This is further augmented by the internet. Chat Rooms are popular amongst the blind. And as you may already know, browsers such as Lynx are typically arranged so as not to waste time downloading images. For this reason, designers are reminded to include the descriptive 'alt' tag in all web images - among other reasons, for the benefit of the blind.

Speech synthesizers will read them through.

I feel that this percentage of our population (our visually impaired), are largely ignored. Where their recognition, I should think would be highly regarded.

How many times have you thought about what it would be like for the sightless in some Katrina like catastrophe, or a even a single tornadic thunderstorm. Anybody would be terrified. How about that urban environment at the center of this debate?
Whether you're taking the time to read all the writing on the wall or not, that too might seem a little unfriendly too.

It seems obvious to me that most business printers should & could easily have the capacity to print out a simple set of instructions such as the correct web address for this person to follow to receive further information. Government websites as example. We have the technology. I may be overstepping my ground here but personally - if you really want to take issue with how the visually challenged are being treated - I wouldn't start out worrying about a couple of paper sticky tags in alley.

In fact I enjoyed the video and thought it was kind of a cool idea. Anyone wants to check out my site, they can find this month's issue at redsun.ca

the concept is beyond brilliant! its sad that so many of the folks in the pod & in the comments don't appreciate the visionary ideas of this non-sighted artist.

too many people think that art has 2 have a finite concrete meaning that's easily explained or its not valid, when the truth is that complex pieces that challenge the viewer are usually the most beautiful & profound.

the first one says YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE BLIND TO SEE THAT THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL

I think it's cool but it would be cooler if he did it on a larger scale or to put braille underneath regular graffiti, like as a translation, lol!

Conceptually, it is very interesting. The project also seems to be well-intentioned.

Now, this project is ridden with problems. For and foremost, it objectifies Braille as art and removes its importance as a tactile language of communication for the blinds. By objectifying Braille, the language becomes simply an art form to people with sight. Simply put, it is like objectifying women so that people will talk about women. Again, it is an idea with great intention, but the execution of the public art project leaves very much to be desired. As seen by the blinds' negative reaction to the project, it can be seen that the public artist didn't really take them into consideration - he just wanted to draw attention to them. Lastly, graffiti is graffiti. Although it is for a good cause, the project would benefit from a positive exposure and not one associated with gangs and unlawfulness. His heart is in the right place and I hope that he will continue in pursuing public art (and hopefully think more carefully about his projects).

Interesting pod with a really unique subject! I think the many interviews get confusing, though. I ended up trying to piece together everyone's argument, their reasons for thinking so, and how it related to the whole conflict and got kind of confused doing so, but maybe that's just me! However, I would have liked to hear the opinion of a blind individual who supported the project (maybe we did hear from one?) and get their opinion on why they thought it was important that Scott perform this public art, because as is we only hear what Scott hopes the project accomplishes. Otherwise, cool pod!

Yay for Braille Graffiti!! Yay for high school math!

Seriously, this project is awesome. I really like how you're giving an advantage to others inste instead of the giving it to the norm.

On second thought ...

"Dumbest ... Idea ..... Ever."

This was....insulting. Not to me per se, but insulting nonetheless. I think defining this as "art" is questionable.

i think he has wonderful intentions but the blind aren't going notice it's there.

the main audience is going to be those who CAN see.
and they don't understand it. it doesn't effect the blind in anyway unless they are brought to it.

This is dumb.

what do they say? i must know.