Tactile Prototyping Helen Keller Artifacts for The Dot Experience

The Dot Experience is so excited to showcase replicas of priceless artifacts from Helen Keller’s personal collection for visitors to touch. To begin the process of making these replicas, Solid Light sat down with our inclusive prototyping team. After washing their hands, individuals were asked to handle each artifact and help identify tactilely meaningful features and discuss how to balance tactile clarity with cultural and historical significance. Here is a sneak peek of three artifacts featured in the tactile prototyping session.

Buddhist Lotus Leaf Vessel

Presented to Helen Keller in May 1955 in Rangoon, this Buddhist lotus leaf vessel dates back to the late 19th to early 20th century. The vessel is made of silver with a gold wash. It is hammered and engraved with floral and vine motifs and features a scalloped floral foot and a seven-pointed rim. The inside of the vessel is glazed. Prototype team members stated that this artifact was small, very light, thin, delicate with sharp points, highly symmetrical, and that it had a smooth exterior with organic lines. The interior also had fine leaf and petal veining with a central palmate motif. Individuals further described it as graceful, flower-like, and “precious.”

The group mentioned the artifact must be handled carefully due to its sharp points. A protective case might be beneficial for the artifact itself, and the replica should not be as sharp. Once the replica is made, the team discussed creating a short, stable central pedestal mount for it that could look like a bottom-center “stem” for the vessel. The mount would allow 360° hand access to the petals while minimizing tipping risk. They suggested that it might also be helpful to have a rotating mount.

Scroll Casket

The scroll casket was presented during Helen Keller and Polly Thomson’s visit to Bombay, India on February 24-March 3, 1955, as part of a larger tour of the Far East. This cylindrical engraved scroll casket has a removable cap and contains several identical copies of a rolled printed dedication with original signatures. The inscription reads, “To DR. (MISS) HELLEN [sic] KELLER L.H.D, LL.D. FROM THE BLIND MEN’S ASSOCIATION (BOMBAY-INDIA) 28 2 1955.” It features small finials on each end and relief carvings of three different buildings surrounded by vines and flowers. The scroll casket will be displayed enclosed in The Dot Experience. Prototype team members felt the finial-like ends, ridges at the opening seam, and pattern transitions. The fine engravings were hard to distinguish. The visual and tactile motifs that the group noticed include buildings with peaked roofs; repeating floral/starburst patterns; transitions from circular bands to floral; and a shiny surface with patina (dark with a goldish-brown sheen).

The scroll casket replica will be produced in gray resin or high-density carving foam with an aim to enhance tactile legibility of key motifs such as houses, circles, lines, and floral elements. Prototype team members did not want the replica to have raised, engraved text as they wanted it to appear as close to the original as possible. However, some details may require simplification or amplification to help with tactile clarity. An idea for creating materiality swatches to be placed next to the replica was posed. Solid Light could engrave motifs into actual silver swatches or make separate material and motif swatches (e.g., a plain silver-feel swatch plus a separate motif swatch in another medium).

Boomerang

This finished gum wood boomerang was gifted to Helen Keller by aboriginal residents and Sunday school children in Sydney, Australia. It features a burned outline map of Australia and an inscription reading, "Greetings to Miss Helen Keller from Aboriginal residents and Sunday school Children at La Perouse, Sydney 11/4/1948.” The reverse side is inscribed, "Made by Joe Timbery La Perouse Sydney." The boomerang is decorated with burned patterns, including semicircles, dots, diamonds, black stripes, and images of a kangaroo, an emu, and feathery leaves. A large, repaired crack runs through the center and is reinforced with a brass hanging brace wrapped around the back. The boomerang commemorates Helen’s visit to the aboriginal settlement at La Perouse in New South Wales during her trip to Australia in April 1948 and was likely sent to her afterward as a souvenir.

The group agreed the replica should include the original artifact’s blemishes (crack, chip) for authenticity and tactile prominence. The fine carvings (kangaroo, Australia outline, dot/circle motifs) are not easily felt. It was proposed that a separate small tactile panel or swatches be made to convey these. A discussion was had about whether or not to include the back bracket in the replica. While it may have display-history significance, it is not original to the artifact, so that decision will be made at a later time. The dots and circles are culturally significant in Aboriginal art. A later consultation with a subject matter expert will help ensure accurate tactile translation into the final replica.

“I am so honored to have had the opportunity to touch some of Helen Keller’s artifacts,” said prototype team member, Jessica Minneci. “This experience gave me a tangible look into Helen’s life and helped me appreciate the beauty of other cultures. I cannot wait for others to have the same experience at the new museum when we open in October.”

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