World Unseen: The Photography Exhibition You Can Feel – Breaking Visual Barriers with Canon Technology

Canon, a global leader in imaging technology, believes that photography is an art form that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to see. But how do you make something so inherently visual accessible to those with sight loss? Enter World Unseen, a groundbreaking photography exhibition that doesn’t just challenge the boundaries of traditional photography but completely redefines them.

Welcome to the photography exhibition you don’t need to see – designed for blind, partially sighted, and sighted people alike.

The Challenge: Making Photography Accessible to All

In the UK alone, there are over 2 million people living with sight loss. For these individuals, engaging with visual art, especially photography, is often an inaccessible experience. Canon recognized that while we live in a world saturated with images, those with visual impairments are left out of this form of artistic expression. The challenge was clear: how could Canon ensure that blind and partially sighted people could truly experience photography, not just be told about it?

The Inspiration: Canon’s Breakthrough in Tactile Photography

The solution to this challenge lies in innovation, and Canon’s proprietary technology is at the forefront of this movement. Through their PRISMAElevate XL software and the Arizona printer series, Canon has developed the ability to produce lifelike, textured photographs that can be felt rather than seen. These prints feature braille and raised surfaces, enabling blind and partially sighted visitors to “read” and “feel” the images in a way that had never been possible before.

This groundbreaking approach is more than just a technological feat—it’s a transformative way for individuals with visual impairments to experience the beauty and emotion that photography can convey.

The Idea: World Unseen

World Unseen is a photography exhibition unlike any other. Designed to be immersive, it invites blind, partially sighted, and sighted people to experience photography in ways that go beyond vision. Visitors can interact with Canon’s tactile photography, where incredibly detailed textures and braille bring the images to life. To further enhance the experience, audio descriptions from the photographers accompany each image, allowing all visitors to connect with the story behind the shot in a deeply personal way.

The exhibition doesn’t just allow people with sight loss to experience photography—it creates a shared space where sighted people can begin to understand what it’s like to navigate the world without vision. The result is a powerful fusion of art, technology, and empathy that redefines how we think about photography and accessibility.

The Impact: Changing Perspectives, Changing Lives

World Unseen has done more than just provide a new way to engage with photography—it’s changed perspectives. Exit polls from the exhibition recorded a remarkable Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 70, an indication that visitors left with positive and meaningful experiences. An impressive 84% of attendees said they gained a better understanding of what it’s like to live with a visual impairment, while 74% left with a newfound appreciation for Canon as a company that’s not just about cameras, but a force for good.

This exhibition isn’t just a win for Canon—it’s a step toward making the world a more inclusive place for all. By harnessing technology to bridge the gap between visual and non-visual experiences, Canon is proving that photography isn’t just something you see—it’s something you can feel, understand, and connect with on a deeper level.

Conclusion: A New Era for Photography
World Unseen is more than just a photography exhibition; it’s a bold statement about the power of technology to bring people together and challenge preconceived notions about art and accessibility. Canon’s commitment to making photography available to everyone, regardless of their ability to see, signals a new era where visual art is no longer limited by sight. Through tactile prints, braille, and immersive audio, World Unseen opens up the world of photography to millions who have previously been left out of the conversation.

This isn’t just about technology—it’s about changing the way we all see, feel, and experience the world around us.

Credits
Campaign: World Unseen
Brand: Canon
Agency: VML UK

This campaign is about: Canon World Unseen, Photography for the blind, Tactile photography, Accessible photography, Photography exhibition for blind, Canon PRISMAElevate, Royal National Institute of Blind People