The eleventh model of the mural was made for the work of the famous artist Jana Danilović, which is located on the wall in Kafe-bar 16.
The artist painted the model (representing the bird) by hand, which became an integral part of the mural and an inclusive work of art when installed. Next to the model there is also a plaque with a description in Braille. Members of the community who are blind and visually impaired now have the opportunity to meet the works of street artists in the safe space of the social enterprise Kafe – bar 16.
There are 12,000 blind and partially sighted people in Serbia, an almost equal number of men and women. Their position is difficult because they have few opportunities to improve their personal and social status. The most common and most important goal is the integration of blind and visually impaired people into all social flows and daily activities, and socialization, cultural life and art are an integral and important part of that.
“It is extremely significant that we are involved in the project in the cafe bar “16”, and that in this space it will be possible to see the Braille as a symbol of the blind. We hope that people will be inspired to learn more about this letter, and maybe they will want to and to learn it. The bird model itself shows that there are groups of people who experience art differently, so another project like this is important not only for us but for the whole community – which will be able to experience art in a new way.” – said Nikola Đorđević, president of the Belgrade City Organization of the Blind.
“Having works that are accessible to blind and partially sighted people through the sense of touch means that my works and my art become accessible to people who could not experience it before.” – said the artist Jana Danilović.
“The social enterprise Kafe-bar 16 represents a place that is a symbol of integration and freedom, the freedom to learn, work and participate in all aspects of life. This project has further highlighted exactly those values and we are happy to represent a place that brings the community together.” – said Jasna Bratičević, program coordinator of the Center for Youth Integration.
Mural models are an innovative approach to presenting street art because with 3D technology, blind and partially sighted people are enabled to get to know street art and the artists who create on the streets through touch.
This is the tenth model in Belgrade, and the eleventh in Serbia. This month, a model mural was placed on the wall of the Home for the Blind in Čačak.
The author of the project is the organization “Street Art Belgrade” in cooperation with the City Organization of the Blind of Belgrade, and the implementation was supported by the Ministry of Culture.
Social enterprise Kafe bar 16
The social enterprise Kafe – bar 16 was opened with the aim of providing support to former users of the Inn after they turn 16 and represents an opportunity for additional education, acquisition of new skills and the possibility of formal employment. First of all, it is another safe location for children who live and work on the streets.
Project Art in Passage
The goal of the Art in Passing project is to bring street art closer to blind and partially sighted people through the installation of models made with 3D technology. Along with the works, there are Braille descriptions that can rarely be found in the public space. The first 3D models of murals for the blind and partially sighted were installed in 2021, and the Street Art Belgrade organization has installed a total of 16 models since then – 10 in Belgrade, 1 in Čačak, 4 in Vienna, Austria and 1 in Iowa, America.