Ayumi Endo’s Touch and See 3D Project Launch in Malacañang
Japanse mixed-art painter Ayumi Endo launched August 26, Friday, her brainchild project called Touch and See, a 3D art painting inspired by and dedicated to the visually-impaired people.
Ayumi Endo is a mixed-art painter from Japan.
The unveiling of her masterpiece was held at the Presidential Museum and Library in Malacañan Palace, attended by government representatives from the Department of Tourism (DOT) and students of the Philippine National School for the Blind (PNSB) in Pasay City who are the beneficiaries of the project.
Ayumi Endo together with the students of the Philippine National School for the Blind.
During the event, Ayumi Endo shared what inspired her to start the project. She had met a blind boy during a charity event she attended in Davao City, and that spurred on her desire to be able to describe paintings to blind people through art.
Through her 3D art, visually impaired people can experience her art and see a picture in their minds by just touching the artwork. Art becomes a universal language, a means of communication without discrimination.
DOT Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegre touches the 3D artwork.
PNSB students were able to paint a picture in their minds by touching the details of the artwork.
The Touch and See masterpiece is made up of 3D-printed Filipino icons, with the President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte at the center, surrounded by the Philippine flag, the Philippine eagle, boxing gloves that represent Manny Pacquiao, sampaguita flower, durian fruit, mangosteen, and a tarsier. The 3D paintings are also surrounded by 2D paintings of the Malacañan Palace and other familiar Philippine symbols, with a phrase transcribed at the bottom that says: “Every human being is my brother, my sister, my child…”
The artwork deliberately has a combination of black-and-white, color-painted and unpainted symbols to inspire your mind to interpret and create colors based on the image that you see.
Ayumi Endo talks about her masterpiece.
Ayumi Endo enthusiastically guides the students through her artwork.
Ayumi Endo previously caught the attention of many people for vocally supporting President Duterte, for whom she had dedicated a painting of the president himself. The painting is now displayed at the Presidential Museum, along with the Touch and See 3D artwork.
Written by Rizelle “Rei” Leaño
