INDIANAPOLIS — A new exhibition opening Jan. 18 at the Eiteljorg Museum is accessible to everyone, including the blind and visually impaired. The exhibit features bronze sculptures that guests are encouraged to touch. Created by renowned Native American artist Michael Naranjo (Santa Clara Pueblo), who was blinded by an injury, the sculptures are touchable so that visitors with limited or no vision can experience and appreciate his art.
Please Touch! The Sculptures of Michael Naranjo features approximately 30 sculptures that span the artist’s 50-year sculpting career, including depictions of birds and animals in realistic poses, people in motion and mythical creatures. Naranjo, 75, grew up in Taos, New Mexico, where his mother Rose Naranjo was a noted pottery artist. While serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War in 1968, Michael Naranjo suffered near-fatal combat injuries in a grenade blast. With a total loss of his vision and the loss of use of his right hand, Naranjo during his convalescence began to sculpt clay with his left hand. Eventually that pursuit led him to a professional career as a sculptor whose works are highly admired.
Naranjo’s sculptures now are in the collections of the Vatican, the White House, the New Mexico State Capitol and other institutions. This is the second time the Eiteljorg Museum has presented an Indianapolis exhibition of his work; during his earlier show in 1992, the Eiteljorg became the first museum to allow visitors to not only view but also touch Naranjo’s sculptures.
Please Touch! is open from Jan. 18 to July 26 in the museum’s Gerald and Dorit Paul Gallery. Visitors can meet Michael Naranjo in person at events a few weeks after the opening. At noon Friday, Feb. 7, Naranjo will talk about his work in the Please Touch! exhibition as part of the monthly Curator’s Choice program. At 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, Naranjo will hold another informal public talk about his sculptures at the museum, followed by an opening party that afternoon at Hotel Tango Distillery, 702 Virginia Avenue, in downtown Indianapolis. For details about and reservations for the events, contact mwhistler@eiteljorg.com.
The Eiteljorg is located at 500 W. Washington St. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday noon-5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 Seniors, $8 for youth 5-17 and free for children under 4 and members, IUPUI students and faculty and Native Americans. Visit eiteljorg.org for more information.
