The Unseen Touch: When Ancient Art Whispers Back in Calgary

Imagine, for just a moment, stepping into an art gallery — a place usually synonymous with hushed reverence and, well, 'look but don't touch' admonishments — and being actively encouraged to reach out. To feel. To truly connect with the very essence of a sculpture, tracing its contours, feeling the weight of history beneath your fingertips. Honestly, it’s a revelation, a genuine game-changer, and it’s precisely what's unfolding at Contemporary Calgary right now.

The exhibit, rather grandly titled 'Gods, Heroes, and Monsters,' isn’t just another display of antiquity. Oh no. It's a profound, tactile journey sourced from Italy's Museo Omero, a unique institution dedicated entirely to tactile art. And here in Calgary, it's doing something truly extraordinary: breaking down barriers, yes, but more than that, it's inviting everyone — and I mean everyone — into a deeper conversation with the past.

You see, for many of us, art is a purely visual experience. We gaze, we admire, we interpret with our eyes. But what if there was another way? What if the textures, the curves, the sheer physicality of a piece could tell a story that mere sight alone couldn't quite capture? Mark Lanctôt, the senior curator, articulated it so beautifully: it’s about 'touching something that's 2,000 years old.' Think about that for a second. The cool, smooth marble; the rough, aged bronze; the very indentations left by ancient hands. It's a visceral link to a world long gone, and frankly, it’s thrilling.

This isn't just a novelty, though; it’s a deeply thoughtful and inclusive initiative. Sana Malik, the accessibility coordinator, emphasized how pivotal this tactile approach is. For visually impaired visitors, it transforms an often-exclusionary experience into one of profound engagement and discovery. They aren't just hearing descriptions; they are experiencing the art firsthand, forming their own vivid mental images through touch. And it’s not only for them; sighted individuals, too, find their understanding enriched, their perspectives broadened, their senses reawakened in ways they perhaps hadn't anticipated.

It really does make you wonder, doesn't it? What other layers of meaning have we been missing, locked behind glass cases and velvet ropes? This exhibition, in truth, reminds us that art is for all senses, a testament to human creativity that transcends mere visual appreciation. It's a chance to truly feel the majesty of Greek and Roman mythological figures, the sheer power of their forms, and perhaps, just perhaps, connect with our shared human story on an entirely new level.

So, if you’re in Calgary, or planning a visit, consider making your way to Contemporary Calgary. 'Gods, Heroes, and Monsters' runs from February 23 all the way to May 19. It’s more than an exhibit; it’s an invitation to experience art in a profoundly different, deeply human way. And that, for once, is something truly special.