Become the Master of the Universe at Spier’s new art exhibition showcasing the works of Berco Wilsenach.

If the ‘Project for the Blind Astronomer’ sounds familiar, it may be because you visited Spier Light Art in 2019 or 2024. However, the large-scale panels shown at Light Art are only a part of this expansive body of work.

Coming to Spier in October, ‘Extracts from the Blind Astronomer’ features additional pieces from this project, which took Wilsenach five years to complete. Simultaneously playful and provocative, ironic and interactive, this exhibition does not take itself too seriously, yet grapples with significant themes such as visual impairment, access to knowledge, and the complexity of sensory experience.

Exploring Space, Stars, and Sensory Limitations

The ‘Project for the Blind Astronomer’ is an artistic exploration of space, how we map the stars, and how our sense of sight enables us to witness the splendour of the universe.

Central to the exhibition is ‘Star Atlas’ – a meticulously crafted book that describes the stars, written entirely in Braille. Those fluent in Braille can gain a deeper understanding of the stars, even without seeing the work. Meanwhile, sighted visitors unfamiliar with Braille cannot read the text, leaving both groups missing a complete sensory experience.

“What’s beautiful about the book is that it’s exhibited in a way that embraces light, darkness, and shadows to play with the senses,” Wilsenach explains.

Interactive and Playful Artworks

In another piece, ‘Stone Universe’, Wilsenach explores how human cultures have colonised our understanding of the stars, stripping away our intuitive connection to the cosmos. This work includes interactive puzzles that invite exploration, with its playful nature often more evident to children.

“By playing with the puzzles, you become the Master of the Universe, taking it apart and putting it back together again,” Wilsenach says. “It’s the night sky we’re looking at, but it reflects the idea of the universe on earth.”

There is a strong irony in a blind astronomer showcasing the stars visible to the naked eye, represented in a tactile way so visitors can feel them. The encouragement to physically engage with the works creates a unique visitor experience, blending sight and touch.

“It allows a wide range of people to access the work on different levels,” Wilsenach notes. “Children try to fit the pieces together, while others eventually realise they should interact with it. Art is most successful when it communicates visually without explicitly instructing the viewer.”

As the exhibition is interactive, each visitor's experience may differ, depending on how previous viewers have manipulated the pieces.

Further extracts in the exhibition include prints and etchings from the project.

About the Project and Exhibition

‘Project for the Blind Astronomer’ was created between 2009 and 2013 in collaboration with the Spier Arts Trust’s Patronage Program. The exhibition, or sections of it, has been shown both locally and internationally in prestigious venues such as the Smithsonian’s Museum for African Art, Newark Museum of Modern Art, Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, Pretoria Art Museum, and Spier Wine Farm.

Visitor Information

• Location: Old Wine Cellar, Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch
• Dates: 10 October 2024 – 12 January 2025
• Opening Hours: Daily from 9:00 – 17:00
• Entrance: Free
• Website: www.spier.co.za

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Social Media Post

Berco Wilsenach: Extracts from the "Blind Astronomer"

Explore the stars through sight and touch at Spier’s interactive exhibition by Berco Wilsenach. Free entry, open daily!

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