Exhibiting for multiple senses: art and curating for sensory-diverse bodies

Abstract

"Exhibiting for Multiple Senses explores how artists and curators engage with experimental practices that foreground the multisensory and diverse nature of our interactions with art. At the forefront of these practices are lived, embodied experiences drawn from disability art activism and crip theory. Sensory disability is often understood as a concern limited to specific groups—primarily those with visual or hearing impairments. With the growing awareness of diverse experiences and understandings of being disabled— including neurodiversity—it becomes clear that sensory diversity concerns a far broader population. Their experiences challenge conventional approaches to the presentation and perception of, and interaction with art. By combining contemporary curatorial theory with disability art activism, this book proposes a way of thinking about exhibitions as spaces for experimentation and knowledge production, highlighting the role that multiple senses play in our encounters with art, culture, and society. Exhibiting for Multiple Senses presents both well- and lesser-known examples of experimental exhibitions, artistic and curatorial research, and accessibility practices. Special attention is given to the senses of touch, smell, and hearing. These examples invite readers to reflect on the sensory capacities and possibilities of the human body in all its richness and diversity"-- On back of cover.

Contents

The Mustky museum: working with scent in a heritage and art context to enhance accessibility for people of all abilities / Caro Verbeek -- More than meets the eye: interview with Georgina Kleege / David Gissen -- 'Ensemble': APT Gallery, London, 2 to 26 May 2024 / Hettie James & Stephanie Farmer -- Aesthetics of blind tactile sensations: attempts at describing the tangible / Lilian Korner -- Multisensory to what end? Lessons of 'Tate Sensorium' and intended, potential and emergent objectives of multisensory exhibitions / Renata Pękowska -- Between curating and care: critical inquiry and feminist speculations / Elke Krasny -- Vibrafusionlab: a centre for reimagining tactile sensory experiences / David Bobier -- On tactile architecture, from vibroraised reliefs to theatre spaces / a conversation between Adi Hollander & Eva Fotiadi -- Neuro recoding: keywords of Nothing Much / Luca M. Damiani -- Collages / Lotte Lara Schröder -- Biographies -- PLURAL series.