Someone said that Fantasy is the dearly loved child of Freedom, and they were right. Fantasy is indeed that place where we can move freely, where no rules and no limits exist. It is the human activity which escapes every kind of control, and that is why it can lead us far into the distance and save our lives. The exhibition on the illustrated tactile books is truly an hymn to fantasy. It is called "What Is The Colour of The Wind?" and is hosted at the International Centre Loris Malaguzzi of Reggio Emilia. The exhibition is a tribute to tactile illustration and Braille, and it is also an original and creative way to develop fantasy in children whether they are sighted or not. The potential of this learning mode is immense and the numerous initiatives linked to the event really demonstrated that. Workshops, labs, readings and meetings took place during the exhibition event (from January 22nd to February 25th, 2011) so that anyone who wished to do so could deepen their understanding of the subject. It was a wide success among educators, students and the great number of people who filled the exhibit areas, curious to touch with their hands the exhibited books. This was a stimulating and special experience to read with one's hands, reading with all our senses the stories told in the many books found in the exhibition. Even though the intended public was young the books certainly won the heart of adults as well. Participants were able to create a tactile book, to read with their hands in the dark and to learn about the world around them with
their own hands. So many activities which
contributed to create awareness in the public at large about people,
particularly children, whose only limitation is not being able to see,
which by no means is a limit to their fantasy world. In fact, if the
Braille system, which had its own day of celebration on February 21st
(recognized by law in 2007) has allowed people living with vision loss
around the world to have access to books and culture, tactile books are a
way for children to learn and enjoy themselves.
To experiment our own
creativity, which we so often have to refrain in our everyday life because
of the rules and limits imposed by society, is the most entertaining and
educational way that we have to express our nature and our dreams.
The
many children who visited the exhibit with much excitement were able to
bring home a book they created themselves and that they will be able to
read to their friends to tell them their very own story, as unique and
precious as is each one of us. Young visitors were guided by many of the
most important experts in the field, educators and artists who have
dedicated themselves for years to the study of this particular teaching
method, alternative and complementary to the more conventional methods, so
original and efficient that it is used more and more. Who knows maybe
someone someday will tell us what the colour of the wind is that
poets write about, a vital inspiration that moves us and leads us to
magical and enchanted places within our most secret imagination.
