Braille Graffiti, Public Art For The Blind

Braille Graffiti is a public art project for the blind in Portland, Oregon created by Scott Wayne Indiana. Here’s Indiana’s artists statement.

Most braille found in public exists as pragmatic directions. This project is an attempt to create a unique moment for a blind person who might happen across one of these bits of braille graffiti. 5 different phrases were peppered around Portland, Oregon in late August, 2007. The visible title is included in an attempt to draw attention to all who pass making it more likely for a blind person to come in contact with the words via suggestion from friends or passersby. This was a strategy that arose in an interview with a blind person who wished to remain anonymous.

One sentence reads: You don’t have to be blind to see that the writing is on the wall.

Another: Tiny bubbles that randomly rose from the paper in this arrangement.

This idea has been explored somewhat, but I wanted to give it my own flavor in Portland, Oregon, complete with documentation that might spark an interest to reproduce the project in other cities.

Scott Wayne Indiana

via Wooster Collective

Scott Beale
Scott Beale

Scott Beale is the founder of Laughing Squid and is based in New York City. When not running the blog, Scott can be found posting on Threads and sharing photos on Instagram.