ART 211: 3D Printing

Three-dimensional printing is an aspect of art and technology that I found riveting and very useful. Learning about this and the many possibilities it lends was definitely one of my favorite lessons so far in this semester. I recently Google searched 3D printing in the news and found an incredible article on a new way for those that are visually impaired to view art. Essentially, a 3D printing company that is based in New York, has come up with an idea for the blind to mentally see art by using their hands to feel the printed art. This idea was originated by neuroplastician and neuroscientist Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita. 
The human brain is able to process a picture of art in their minds just by tactile use of their fingertips. So, just how we that are able to see can visualize a piece of art; the blind can now touch the 3D printed art pieces and visualize it in their minds by feeling the shape. 
The New York company is taking photographs, paintings, and other pieces of art and using different textures in order to raise the picture and make it three-dimensional. Additionally, there are sensors placed within each section of the art piece that have audio attachments to tell the blind people what exactly they are looking at. For example, if they touch an apple, an auditory device will inform them of the item they touch. 
I think that this is an excellent project. I really like that artists and scientists are trying to find more ways for those less fortunate to experience beauty and artistic creativity. It is unfortunate that they, the blind, cannot see the beautiful colors displayed, but with this new form of 3D printing, they can at least feel the textures and shapes to be able to visualize the picture.
Here are examples: