The Access Program (Special Show Supporting Those with Disabilities) Practical Course has begun. The first Special Show (Mauritshuis Gallery exhibition) is scheduled for August 27th (Monday). This time, the instructor is the curator, Ms. Ōhashi, who is also the supervising curator of the Mauritshuis Gallery exhibition. At first, she explained such things as manners within the exhibition hall and an overview of the Access Program Practical Course that is starting now.
The Museum is closed today (Monday). The Practical Course proceeded in an empty exhibition hall. Initially, while confirming the route, Ms. Ohashi explained the works to us.
There is a long escalator in the exhibition hall. The building is normally packed and people usually have to wait 1-2 hours to enter. But it is deserted today.
After confirming the route by walking the entire length once, we paired off and took in the works by wheelchair. We experienced for ourselves how we should navigate the exhibition space in a wheelchair and from what distance we could get a good view of the art work. When there are multiple wheelchairs in the exhibition hall, it feels smaller than usual. Since there will probably also be visually impaired visitors, it is important to understand the space.
Today we foresee a lot of visitors with disabilities coming to the Museum. The Access Program will grow through the combined results of many different efforts. (Project Manager: Tatsuya Itō)
2012.07.05