Our Work
Experience artworks in a new way!
NYU graduate student Auset Brown, Sauda Musharrat, and Rashi Chaudhary partnered with the Grey Art Gallery to create accessible representations of three artworks in Mostly New: Selections from the NYU Art Collection. These interventions explore how visitors can experience art in new ways beyond the visual through soundscapes and touch objects. Though designed to improve accessibility, they are for everyone to enjoy.
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This project was created for the NYU graduate seminar “Access and Assistive Tech in Historical Sites and Museums,” taught by Anita Perr, Clinical Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Steinhardt and Amy Hurst, Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Steinhardt; Department of Technology, Culture, and Society, Integrated Design and Media Program, Tandon School of Engineering.
Jeanne Reynal
(White Plains, New York, 1903–New York, 1983)
Rain – Le Collier de Dieu, 1958
Smalti and dyed Japanese shell on pigmented cement
Grey Art Gallery, New York University Art Collection, Gift of the artist, 1962.41
Our goal is to represent this artwork with a soundscape that would invite the listener on a journey through the artist’s process, materials, and subject matter. At first glance, the viewer might see a large necklace with dangling stones that hints toward the title, Le Collier de Dieu, meaning God's necklace. Some may see what can be interpreted as streaming droplets that allude to the beginning of the title, Rain. Thus in the soundscape we included the sound of rain storms with varying degrees of intensity and wind chimes to evoke jewelry and crystals clanging together.
We selected this work for the intricate, free-flowing forms that Reynal created by adding pieces of Japanese shell and opaque glass to the dyed cement in an energetic, spontaneous manner. The shapes created by the stream of shells and glass leave the viewer with many ways to understand the work
Soundscape duration: 2 minutes, 21 seconds
Map of where to find this artworks in the gallery:
Information for visitors:​
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Bring headphones
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Collect leaflet at the front desk with the QR code for the soundscapes
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QR code also available next to the artwork
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Disposable gloves available for the touch object for Resonator