Fernbank Museum Explores the “Darkness” 
of Visual Impairments in Blind/Sight Display

ATLANTA (Februry 9, 2008) — Fernbank Museum of Natural History presents an incredible collection of photographs and interviews with visually impaired members of the Atlanta community from February 9-May 4, 2008, revealing how many people with visual impairments view the world around them, overcoming the challenges of limited or no sight. 

   Blind/Sight: Conversations with the Visually Impaired is a project created by Billy Howard after his friend Phil began losing his sight over 30 years ago. Inspired by his friend’s grace and ability to adapt, Howard began documenting what it means to be blind, have a visual impairment, or not see as others do. 

   This collection of photographs, illustrations and interviews examines the effects of vision loss as a result of trauma, blindness since birth, albinism, cataracts with detached retinas, brain tumors, macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, neurofibromatosis, Leber’s congenital amaurosis, and cytomegalovirus retinitis. The exhibition combines photographs by Howard with illustrations by Laurie Shock to reveal how each of the 12 featured Atlantans “sees” the world and what caused the impairment to their vision.

   The exhibition not only introduces us to each of these remarkable individuals, but also is a window into their hearts and souls, providing a personal understanding of what it’s like to be visually impaired.

   Howard said he first thought blindness was about darkness, but later realized “it is about light, energy and the boundless creativity of the human mind to discover the world using all senses.” 

   Based in Atlanta, Howard is a commercial and documentary photographer and Shock is a book designer and illustrator. For Blind/Sight: Conversations With the Visually Inspired, Howard created a series of 12 portrait photographs showing a diversity of ages, ethnic backgrounds and types of vision loss from low vision to total blindness. Shock created illustrations based on interviews with the subjects that emulate the actual vision of each subject. These images may look as if seen through thick fog, they may be completely dark, or they may be blurred images where some portions are recognizable and others are not.

   Howard and Shock challenge common myths about blindness through the compelling personal stories of these Atlanta residents who possess inspiring vision of their own. Each set of images features personal stories of the person in the photo. 

   “My goal for the exhibition," Howard says, "is to demystify blindness and visual disorders in a way that gives voice to the diversity of seeing. Blindness is not always darkness and darkness is not always lack of vision."

   Blind/Sight is featured in conjunction with In the Dark, a special exhibition on view at Fernbank Museum of Natural History from February 9-May 4, 2008, to reveal dark habitats, including the darkness of night, the deep sea, in the soil and within caves, as well as the adaptations to darkness of the animals that thrive in these environments. The exhibition also features how humans have reacted to dark over time, including how the visually impaired are able to adapt to sightless life. 

   Fernbank will offer access to Acoustiguides for visually impaired visitors, on loan from the Center for the Visually Impaired, which will provide an opportunity to hear descriptions of Blind/Sight. These devices are available by reservation only from a Fernbank Museum of Natural History ticketing agent at 404.929.6400.

   Blind/Sight: Conversations with the Visually Impaired is located within the special exhibition In the Dark and is included with Museum admission. Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for students and seniors, $13 for children ages 3-12, and free for Museum members and children ages 2 and younger.

   For more information, visit fernbankmuseum.org or call 404.929.6300. Tickets are available onsite or by calling 404.929.6400. Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta.