The Unseen Art project, which is being run by Helsinki-based designer Marc Dillon, is giving blind people the opportunity to experience classical art that they otherwise wouldn’t experience. Using a 3D printer he is able to replicate some of the world’s most famous classical paintings.
“Imagine not knowing what Mona Lisa’s smile looks like, or Van Gogh’s sunflowers. Imagine you heard people talking about them and knew they existed, but could never experience them for yourself. For the millions of people who are blind, that’s a reality,” the designer explains.

Using 3D imaging and sand-based 3D printing the designers are able to recreate these works of art on a scale and quality that can be put on display in museums.

“It would be a revolution to get blind people going to art galleries, people hate them because there is nothing there to touch!” says designer Marc Dillon

Dillon is currently raising money to create an online bank where artists can submit their art in 3D formats, letting anyone with a 3D printer to be able to print it.

Although it’s a fantastic concept, the Unseen Art project is not the first to have come up with this idea. 3D printing has in the past been used to turn photos into “Touchable Memories” and even to help a blind mother “see” the ultrasound of her unborn child.

Unseen Art is currently raising money to allow them to print more art. You can help them by going to their IndieGoGo fundraiser page.