This is our submission for the “INTENSE INTERIORS – 2023 Architecture and Film Symposium”. It was hosted by Toronto Metropolitan University’s Creative School’s Interior Design department on May 6 & 7, 2023. Our piece is in the form of an experimental audio paper.

“Outlook - A Multisensory Installation” explores the concept of mental mapping: a term blind people use that defines the ability to picture or imagine things in the world around us or us and where we are located in a space. Throughout the experimental audio paper, we explore the idea that the visual isn’t the only best way of getting a clear picture of where we are in space, that tactile maps are one way of understanding an interior and out into the exterior world.

The audio paper was presented alongside an in house installation including tactile maps, accessible Purdys braille box of chocolates with legend, iPhone for touch screen demonstration, and 3D printed models during the symposium on May 7, 2023.

It was an honour to be included in this symposium, to share our perspectives as two blind Canadians.

Thanks to co-chairs: Lorella Di Cintio, PhD and Vahid Vahdat, PhD.

Learn more about “INTENSE INTERIORS – 2023 Architecture and Film Symposium” here:

http://architectureandfilm.org

Credits:

Joanne Beckford speaking the name of the exhibit, Penny Mary LeclairBennett (Outlook 2021-06-28 - Deafblind Awareness Month with Penny Leclair), Mitch Creedy (Outlook 2022-11-14 - Blindness and Gender Intersecting with First-Time Guest Mitch Creedy), and Patricia Elgersma (Outlook 2020-10-05 - Perfect Pitch and Mental Mapping with Guest Patricia Elgersma).

Thanks to the companies who contributed to our installation:

https://www.purdys.com

https://see3d.org

https://ailledesign.com

Image description: Kerry and Brian are standing behind a tall podium as part of their exhibit showcasing their tactile maps. Brian is wearing a charcoal grey pinstriped collar dress shirt and Kerry is wearing the Aille Design braille blue dress with white braille beading. Kerry is holding in her hands a box of Purdys Chocolates that has accessible braille packaging.