Velázquez arrives in Elche with a major free exhibition that can be seen, smelled, heard, and touched

The exhibition hall of the Gran Teatro de Elche hosts from this Friday, May 2, the new interactive exhibition 'Diego Velázquez: the Courage of the Painter', which will remain open to the public free of charge until June 29.

At the opening of the exhibition this Friday morning, the Councillor for Culture, Irene Ruiz, and the Councillor for Disability, María Bonmatí, were present. Ruiz highlighted that it is "an inclusive, accessible, and immersive exhibition, promising to be a unique and innovative sensory experience to discover art through touch, smell, and hearing. It will also allow exploration of the legacy of one of the masters of the Spanish Golden Age, Diego Velázquez."

The exhibition recreates historical spaces and presents tactile replicas of the most iconic works of the Sevillian painter. What distinguishes this exhibition is "the pioneering technique that creates a multisensory experience aimed at making art accessible to people with visual and auditory disabilities."

The Councillor for Culture explained that the exhibition has used advanced technology to transform Velázquez's paintings into tactile replicas and interactive elements that engage multiple senses. Visitors will be able to touch the pieces, such as a three-dimensional version of Las Meninas and The Rokeby Venus. This will allow people with visual impairments to enjoy the works through touch.

Additionally, the experience is complemented by sounds and scents that evoke the landscapes and settings of Seville, such as the recreation of the Patio de Yeso of the Royal Alcazars, providing a total immersion in Velázquez's historical and geographical context.

To ensure full accessibility, QR codes have been integrated into the exhibition, offering additional information in various formats, including audio descriptions and sign language videos. This not only opens the doors of art to a diverse audience but also positions this exhibition as a benchmark in social inclusion within the artistic field, municipal sources emphasize.

Meanwhile, Rafael Gálvez, director of Maatk Inclusión, the company responsible for the exhibition, thanked the Elche City Council for "the welcome and for giving visibility to this inclusive exhibition that leaves no segment of society out, where touching is mandatory, and where we can put ourselves in the shoes of a person with visual problems."

According to Irene Ruiz, this exhibition is "an initiative that reaffirms this municipal government's commitment to inclusive education and accessibility in cultural spaces, promoting an enriching artistic experience that fosters a more inclusive society, but not exclusive, because it is made for everyone to explore and enjoy art."

The exhibition schedule will be from Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; from Friday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sundays and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It will be closed on Mondays.

Additionally, during the exhibition's stay, guided tours will be conducted for different groups and educational institutions, thus promoting inclusive education and offering new generations a new vision of art.

Finally, Antonio Ibarra, territorial councillor of ONCE in the Valencian Community, invited all the people of Elche to visit the free exhibition "because it is worth witnessing and feeling it by putting oneself in the shoes of a blind person or someone with visual problems."