Touch of Water - How Does a Visually Impaired Photographer See the World?

Touch of Water reflects on whether we actually see things or skip them by taking them for granted. And how does a visually impaired person perceive their surroundings – or visual arts? Do visually impaired people have access to the emotional experiences that visual arts at their best offer? 

The works in the exhibition are nature photographs printed as embossed images. Kokko mixes different shooting styles and, as a photographer, makes original decisions when choosing subjects, perspectives and other means of visual narrative.  At the same time, he creates a multisensory experience taking into account different people. 

Beauty is in the fingers of the beholder

Embossed image gives visually impaired people the opportunity to explore images in a new way, touch and feel the shapes of the image. Embossed image challenges the viewer to sense, to perceive, to feel and to touch.  

Embossed Image Shines in Colours

In a coloured embossed image printed on sparkling paper, only the black areas of the image are raised, thus the shape of the image can be explored by feeling its surface. In a nature picture, the embossed element brings three-dimensionality to the image, heightening its atmosphere and giving the viewer a whole new possibility to perceive the image. 

As far as is known, Tero Kokko is the first ever disabled person who has received a grant from Finnfoto. He has received grants for two of his previous exhibitions, and Finnfoto doubled its grant for the Touch of Water exhibition. 

–It has been said about me that I mix completely different things together and create something new. It is interesting to see what kind of thoughts, sensations and emotions the images evoke in the viewers, Tero Kokko ponders.

Iris Centre, exhibition space on the 3rd floor
Marjaniementie 74  Helsinki
www.omat.fi/veden