It was only a few months ago that I saw the work of Roy Nachum, but I was immediately enthralled by his skill and unique approach to his craft. As I read more about the meaning of his work and his process I found myself appreciating the work even more. Below is a small excerpt from an article published by Yatzer before his exhibition in New York City "Open Your Eyes":
"'Open Your Eyes' is 32-year old Nachum’s second exhibition; a show that explores how humans look at art and what the art experience might be like for the visually impaired. Inspired by braille signs in the stairwells of a museum, Nachum began to think about the art itself; if one cannot touch it how can the visually impaired appreciate the art and furthermore how can this understanding enhance the art adventure for a person with sight - who’s very perceptions and experiences in life have infringed on their point of view? In fact, the more we learned about Roy Nachum’s process it becomes evident that nothing is an accident in his pieces. They are carefully thought out, painstakingly detailed, and cerebral yet, layered with meaning and emotion.
Take, for example his Parallel Realities series. Upon first sight you have realistic paintings with large convex braille squares popped into the canvas, showing the animalistic or primal subconscious of a state of mind. There is also a poem written in braille within this painting. A blind person can run their fingers over the braille and understand the scale of the painting while reading a poem that expresses the emotional component of that particular painting. Therefore the braille poem is a 'way into the piece' for the visually impaired."
To read the full article click here
The poem within the painting:
In the middle of this reverie lost but found I am liberated to by myself.
I envision a life like no other, a life that only exists in the sweetest of daydreams.
My feet firmly planted in the earth,
My compassion tightly embraced within my chest
And my mind determined to wander, in the void,
Somehow finding an escape through the very tips of my fingers.
Reaching further I move closer, this is the untouchable.
The noisy exhale of rousing thoughts screams out to the universe,
Clear and sharp and a flood of whispers tumble down the contaminated terrain.
I begin to float, long lifted, taking flight to my imagination,
Above the current and into the near expectations.
Avoiding peril and spite to strike a fancy.
A flawless place along the horizon beyond sight into the far seeking.
Vivid I grasp hold trying to capture this moment forever,
Remember this perfect feeling,
This perfect instant,
Soaking in the drunken scents and all I can think is:
This must be where all dreams are made.
Impervious and unforgiving to others I see the future with mighty saturation.
All the likely to hallucinate and all the promise to survive
And nonetheless here I am "exceptional", imagining what does not yet exist.
Supreme I am that prominent person
You may call it nonsense, but at least I have not given up
On the very human and very real ability to roam in the unknown.
I belong to this vision,
Seemingly unreal or imaginary or just purely optimistic
This is the influential and strong far sight of the forthcoming.
(Poem from Roy Nachum)
Let me know what you think about the work!
