Not to Touch is Prohibited!

An interactive, contemporary Mexican art exhibit entitled The Soul in the Hands or El Alma en las Manos is premiering now through April 2 at "Zeum," The Kids Museum in San Francisco. Exhibiting at 221 Fourth St., this is its first stop in the United States. The theme of the show is "Not to Touch is Prohibited!" And though it is for all peoples, it is especially dedicated to children with visual deficiencies

Some of Mexico's finest artists have collaborated together with the National Council for the Arts of Mexico (CONACULTA) and Zeum in bringing this touring show of 22 tactile sculptures to San Francisco. World-renowned artists such as Coronel, Soriano, Felguerez and Sebastian have contributed to this small format exhibit which underlines tactile values.

According to Jonathan Chait from the Consulate of Mexico in San Francisco, the ministry of Mexico developed this idea of art for visually impaired children, and then approached those artists who live and work in Mexico. The response from the artists was enthusiastic. The objective of this show is to experience art through the hands.

'Seeing' through touch opens the additional window one often ignores because of the overwhelming influence of the gift of sight. Visuals play an important role in education, hence the phrase a picture is worth a thousand words. Take away the ability to see normally, and the experience to one's outward reality becomes much more dependent upon sensory factors, through touch, smell, taste, and hearing.

Each sculpture has the artist's written understanding to help the child understand and respond to the piece. The Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a non-profit organization and the largest Northern California provider of services and advocacy for the visually impaired. In partnership with the Light House, great efforts were made to translate the Spanish into English, as well as to supply Braille in both languages for this exhibit. There is also an audio presentation, with single words coming from above each sculpture, to give a further sensation for experience.

The often-used phrase "seeing is believing" may encourage deeper thinking when one doesn't have the ability to use the eyes. Chait said, "The tour in Mexico was very successful, even a lot of the children who are not visually impaired blindfolded themselves so they could go through the exhibit to get all the forms, textures and shape experiences without sight." Reliance on inner sight as well as all of the senses is what these visual artists are trying to bring out in participants.

Mexican artist Yvonne Domenge has written in her artist's statement that "Yvonne is a very optimistic and enthusiastic woman, so her children say she has the curse of magic, because in life she always says: 'This is possible! How wonderful!' She conveys this attitude in her sculptures. So I ask you, what do you think of her sculpture called 'The Seed of a Hurricane?' To find out, get closer, smell it and feel it. Yvonne would like you to so that you too can discover the magic that every masterpiece holds inside."

Mexican writer Ruben Reyes Ramirez explains that among those with disabilities, children and young people alike are still intact in their spiritual sphere. With this perceptive potential that not only sustains, but also is capable of reaching an even more finely attuned, special oneness with the art, understanding can be attained. He writes that "by answering the call of art with different means of approaches" and by using their intuitive arsenal, these sight disabled people can "discover—or better yet—awaken in art, images and inaugural meanings."

Lisa Dunmeyer, the exhibit manger of Zeum says, "It's been a great experience for us. We have been doing a spotlight on youth art programs for four years now. We want to be able to foster creativity in a number of different ways for youth and for a wide array of audiences including those with various disabilities. From a sculptural and literary standpoint this exhibit can be a natural extension for all kids to use the Zeum's clay animation studio afterwards to create something that inspired them after responding to 'The Soul in the Hands.' The School of the Blind is coming on April 16 as well as lots of other groups, sighted or disabled. The call is out! Come 'see' the show!"

Speaking to one enthusiastic six-year-old participant, Lee Winters, his appreciation summed things up. He said, "I like all of it, but especially the sculpture (Juan Soriano's 'Hand') that looks like the Statue of Liberty!" His amazement of so many sensations of touch was amplified by his mother Susan's comment of, "Isn't it nice to touch things in a museum that usually doesn't let you touch?"