An abstract view of the human form
Landscapes of the Body is a portfolio of accessible abstract low key photographic work created by award winning legally blind photographer Ted Tahquechi, and his wife Carrie Tahquechi. This fine art collection showcases the form, curve, and texture of the human body in the Bodyscape style of portraiture. Typically faceless, a Bodyscape is a style of artistic close-up photography where images of the human form convey the impression of landscapes. Work in this style can range from abstract, to flowing and sensual.
Viewers of this collection will experience imagery ranging from softly lit, easily recognizable forms, to those more indefinite, thought-provoking and abstract. Throughout its black and white images, the collection explores models ages 19 to 76, with a multitude of ethnicity and body sizes ranging from petite to plus-size. While the imagery is of the nude form, it is not explicit, making this collection suitable for all viewers.
These images celebrate diversity in age, gender, body size, physical ability and illustrate that the beauty of the human form is present in every body and not dependent on the idealized media-driven definition of physical attractiveness.
Focus on accessibility
A multi-sensorial approach
Landscapes of the Body is an accessible exhibition designed to be enjoyed by visually impaired and fully sighted viewers alike, in a multi-sensorial experience. Exhibitions are presented via traditional framed prints of the images, with accompanying audio descriptions for each image created by the artist. Audio descriptions are accessed with any smartphone by scanning a QR code. Tactile versions of selected images also accompany each showing, rounding out the sensorial enjoyment of this unique view of the human form.
“With the detail of your tactile prints, I feel a true emotional connection to this piece compared to something with just an audio description. ”
– Conference attendee
Landscapes of the Body debuts at #NFB24
Over the fourth of July week, my wife Carrie and I were in Orlando at the National Federation of the Blind national convention. This is the largest gathering of blind and vision impaired people in the United States, and we could not think of a better place to debut the tactile photography project we have been focused on since the beginning of 2024. This exhibition was the culmination of more than ten years of working on the Landscapes of the Body project and marks the first time we have been able to show the work in its fully accessible format. Each image was accompanied by a tactile rendering, braille labels and a tactile QR code that gives an audio description of the original photograph and presents the viewer with a tour of the tactile features found in the touchable version of the image.
Over the days the work was on display, we had the privilege to speak with many hundreds of convention attendees both sighted and not. Each person had a different approach to experiencing the artwork, some wanted interaction with Carrie or I, asking us to describe the original photo and then walk them through the tactile landscape of the touchable rendering, while others brought out their smartphones and scanned the QR code, taking the self-guided tour through the features in the tactile prints. For those viewers with some sight, the tactile prints were created in high contrast white on black, and all viewers loved the QR codes with audio descriptions.
We could not have been happier with the reception we received from the convention attendees and the overwhelmingly positive feedback on the process we have created. We set out to bridge the gap between pixels and touch, and it feels like we succeeded. We will continue to refine the process and continue to squeeze every bit of detail we can out of an image.
To those who stopped by and checked out our work in Orlando, thank you. If you would like to feel what we have done, the next chance to catch our project will be for its first public debut at the Shine Music Festival in Denver on August 24th. You can find lots more information about the Shine Music Festival here.
This project would not have become a reality if not for our amazing partners. Many thanks go out to The Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Art @Warholfdn, Redline Contemporary Art Center of Denver @RedlineArt #RedlineDenver, HueForge @hueforge and West3d @West3dPrinting for all of their support in making visual art accessible for those who cannot see it.
We envision this technology being a part of every installation that features visual art. What if someone who is blind or visually impaired could experience visual art at the same time as everyone else can, rather than having to schedule a tactile specific showing of works on display. What if accessibility to visual art for those who cannot see it became part of the exhibition process rather than an afterthought. We have developed the technology and have it in hand now. Printing tactile versions of the piece on display is not a work intensive or cost prohibitive consideration. it just needs to be implemented.
Our Partners
Expanding our vision
We are beyond excited to announce the expansion of Landscapes of the Body over the coming year. With support from the amazing folks at Redline Contemporary Art Center of Denver @RedLineDenver and The Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Art @warholfdn We will expand our collection to feature all new tactile imagery, and audio descriptions. Our mission is to create a collection of work that exemplifies accessibility in visual art.
Exhibitions
If you would like to feature this body of work, in your establishment, details can be found on the contact page here on our website.
Landscapes of the Body is currently on display in the Lighthouse for the Blind gallery space located at 1155 Market St. in San Francisco. If you find yourself in San Francisco, I invite you to come view the collection.
Ted is an award winning public speaker and always willing to speak about his work with groups large and small. If you would like to schedule a zoom or in-person session, contact Ted via the form on the contact page.
Our Partners
Our mission is to make 3D printing more accessible, user-friendly, and efficient by offering high-quality materials and hardware.
HueForge is a software that uses a technique called filament painting to make detailed prints without requiring a multi-material 3D printer.
West3D specializes in sourcing and selling the best 3D printing products at affordable prices supporting makers across the world. Sold and shipped from the USA.
As seen on
Over the years, we are honored to have had Landscapes of the Body featured on Fox News, FSTOPPERS Magazine, 5280 Magazine, Westword Magazine and many other fine publications and media outlets.
FSTOPPERS
5280 Magazine
FOX News
Westword Magazine
“Ted’s six year long journey into the landscape of the human body is a marvelous celebration of all that is physical, sensual and diverse “
– FSTOPPERS
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