The 5th Annual Sculpture Garden Exhibition, held on the grounds of Brecknock Hall at Peconic Landing in Greenport, opens Saturday with three new works by Ginés Serrán-Pagán — with an eye toward breathing life into the experience for the visually impaired.
“Art Without Barriers: What You Hear is What You See” will include a podcast of one of three works by the newest artist.
The opening event takes place Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. at 1500 Brecknock Road.
Digitally enhanced descriptions have been recorded for nine of the 20 pieces created by local and internationally recognized sculptors.
The podcasts create an auditory experience for the sighted, the print disabled and the severely visually impaired. By creating a more inclusive environment, Peconic Landing aims to demonstrate that art is not just a visual experience.
Described as “large, wild and colorful,” the sculptures have received a warm reception from local artists, art lovers, and Peconic Landing residents.
The event is sponsored by Peconic Landing, a senior lifecare community, in partnership with the Mattituck Lions Club, the local chapter of Lions International, which provided a grant that made the podcasts possible, as well as working with Albert J. Rizzi, founder and CEO of MyBlindSpot.org.
Rizzi and Kathryn Carroll, a fellow at the United States International Council on Disability, both of the Greater New York City area, consulted with Peconic Landing on education, understanding and the process for the podcast project.
Both are blind, Rizzi later in life.
Audio narratives will be available as free downloads to any smartphone from Peconic Landing’s own iTunes channel. They also will be pre-recorded on 20 iPods available on loan at Brecknock Hall. In addition, the exhibit program will be available in Braille and large-print formats. Recordings are approximately two-fice minutes each, with descriptions by Dr. Charles A. Riley, cultural historian and curator and some of the artists themselves; an introduction by Carroll; and a message by Dominic Antignano, a sculptor of note, curator of the exhibition and Peconic Landing’s cultural arts coordinator.
The sculpture garden is open free to the public from July through October. Groups are asked to make reservations in advance so that they may be accommodated. Those requiring the use of the Peconic Landing assistive technology offerings are also urged to make reservations. A limited number of golf carts with docents will be available. All reservations to visit or attend the June 28 opening reception may be made by calling 631-477-BLUE (2583).
