Seeing with the Brain: Artists and Visual Impairments - Art and Health Series

Introduction

Good evening everyone, and welcome to the final installment of the Nasher's Art and Health Series for this season. I’m Anna Smith, Curator of Education. Tonight's program focuses on how conditions of the eye can affect an artist's practice. The term "visual art" can be loaded when considering what art means to people with different degrees of sight. If we think of an artwork not just as a visual object but as a means of communication, we begin to expand not only what it can mean but to whom it can be meaningful.

Louis Braille once said about visual impairments, "We do not need pity nor do we need to be reminded that we are vulnerable. We must be treated as equals and communication is the way we can bring this about. Live without seeing but be what you are."

If you missed our previous three sessions, they will be available on the National YouTube channel in several weeks. We owe thanks to our generous sponsor Donna Wilhelm and to Bonnie Pittman for dedicating much time and thought to its content.

Panel of Experts

For tonight's discussion, we have:

• Dr. Katherine Kraft, Curator at the Nasher Sculpture Center
• Steven Lapthisophon, artist and educator
• Dr. Neeraj Nathan, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical Center
• Bonnie Pittman, Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence for the Edith O'Donnell Institute of Art History and Director of Art-Brain Innovations for the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas at Dallas

Bonnie Pittman will introduce a new experiment: providing very brief verbal descriptions of the images on each slide for those in the audience who aren’t able to see. Think of it as closed captions for your ears.

Introduction by Bonnie Pittman

Tonight is the last of our series, though we appreciate your feedback and insights. Our focus tonight is on visual challenges, which come in many different forms. I teach a course on the power of observation, emphasizing that no two people see the same way due to varied influences like heritage and experiences.

Here are some key points about visual impairment:

• 12 million people over 40 years of age have some sort of visual impairment
• Diabetes often leads to retinopathy and blindness
• Vision correction has made huge advances, including treating cataracts
• Seeing takes up 50% of your brain's functionality
• The eyes are the second most complex organ in your body, next to your brain

Historical and Contemporary Artists with Visual Challenges

Paul Cézanne

Cézanne suffered from depression, diabetes, and retinopathy. His works transitioned from realism to Impressionism, influencing Cubism and later abstract styles. Despite having diabetic retinopathy at age 51, he continued to create impactful works, showcasing evolving styles through color and brushstrokes.

Mary Cassatt

Cassatt lived a long life but had to cope with cataracts. The development of her art shows a transition to pastels as a coping mechanism for her vision loss. However, her style remained vibrant and impactful.

Claude Monet

Diagnosed with cataracts in 1912, Monet experienced significant visual changes that influenced his iconic later works of the water lilies and Japanese bridges. His works evolved from realistic to more abstract due to his changing vision.

Camille Pissarro

Pissarro dealt with chronic infections, profoundly affecting his ability to work outdoors. Forced to paint indoors, Pissarro's work exhibits powerful indoor views while maintaining his vibrant style.

Dale Chihuly

A tragic car accident resulted in the loss of one eye for Chihuly. His glass artworks are highly renowned, demonstrating creative resilience and adaptation.

Chuck Close

Close had neurological issues leading to face blindness and other challenges. Despite this, he created impactful portraits using unique techniques involving grids and dots.

Medical Context by Dr. Neeraj Nathan

Dr. Nathan provided medical insights about various visual conditions and how they affect perception and artistic expression:

• Vision Pathways: Involving the retina, optic nerve, and the brain’s visual cortex
• Conditions: Cataracts, macular degeneration, optic neuritis, and prosopagnosia were explained in detail, focusing on their impact on vision and artwork

Personal Experience by Steven Lapthisophon

Steven shared his personal journey with vision loss and his adaptive strategies in his artistic practice. He highlighted the use of tactile materials and mental strategies to create meaningful art.

Conclusion

This series highlights the intersection of art and health, showing creative resilience amidst visual challenges. Thank you for your participation and interest. We look forward to future explorations of such important discussions.

Keywords

• Visual Impairments
• Art and Health
• Paul Cézanne
• Mary Cassatt
• Claude Monet
• Camille Pissarro
• Dale Chihuly
• Chuck Close
• Vision Pathways
• Medical Insights
• Artistic Adaptation

FAQ

Q: What was the focus of the Nasher's Art and Health series? A: The series explored how eye conditions can affect an artist’s practice, aiming to expand the understanding of art as a means of communication for people with different degrees of sight.

Q: Which notable artists with visual impairments were discussed in the final session? A: The session discussed Paul Cézanne, Mary Cassatt, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Dale Chihuly, and Chuck Close.

Q: What are some of the key statistics about visual impairment? A: Over 12 million people over the age of 40 have vision impairments. Vision processing accounts for 50% of brain functionality, and advancements in vision correction have significantly improved treatments for diseases like cataracts.

Q: How did Dale Chihuly adapt to his visual impairment? A: After losing an eye in a car accident, Chihuly adapted his glass-making practice by orchestrating creative teams and producing drawings to conceptualize his extensive works.

Q: What insights did Dr. Neeraj Nathan provide in the session? A: Dr. Nathan explained the anatomy of vision, the different visual impairments (cataracts, macular degeneration, optic neuritis, prosopagnosia), and their effects on visual perception and artistic creation.

Q: How does Steven Lapthisophon approach his art despite vision loss? A: Steven uses tactile materials, mental strategies, and a strong focus on the emotional impact and communication of his work to create meaningful art despite his visual challenges.