Stunning beaded gowns and see-through chiffon sheaths are stars of the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit at the Denver Art Museum.
So how do blind patrons enjoy what can simply be described as eye candy?
With the help of the museum docents, who let them touch and feel sewn replicas of the French fashion icon’s designs and through the stories behind Saint Laurent’s ideas.
The museum offered free tactile tours to the blind Friday to celebrate the Association of Art Museum Directors’ Museum Day, but events providing access to the blind and those with disabilities are available throughout the year, said Ashley Pritchard, a museum spokeswoman.
Buna Dahal of Centennial ran her hands up and down a swatch of black wool fabric with gold buttons sewn along the front, a replica of a wool coat made by Saint Laurent.
“What color are these?” Dahal asked Robin Stolp, a museum docent.
“They could be navy blue, they could be black,” Stolp told Dahal.
“So, is it all plain black, or does it have a pattern?” Dahal asked.
“Yves Saint Laurent loved black,” Stolp said. “It would go with everything.”
Dahal also used a “sensational blackboard,” a device that looks like a clipboard with a picture of a model on it. The model is wearing a Saint Laurent design with raised edges along the borders of her clothes, like a braille photograph.
“Oh, this is really cool,” Dahal said, running her fingers along the raised lines of a coat. “I can really feel it on a human body.”
Dahal says she is grateful that the museum offered her the opportunity to have the same visit as patrons who can see. “I can experience art through my fingertips,” she said.
Felisa Cardona: 303-954-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com
Hands-on museum tour
Blind patrons who want to attend the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit can call the Denver Art Museum at 720-913-0130 or e-mail access@denverartmuseum.org to schedule a tour along with other areas of the Denver Art Museum.
Two weeks’ notice is required to set up a visit. The YSL exhibit ends July 8.
