Promoting inclusivity and accessibility through the work of the Institute of Art History in Łódź

An online Lightning Bites talk on the role of the Institute of Art History at the University of Lodz in the promotion of activities in the area of the inclusivity of culture and art.

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Start: 18.03.2025
End: 18.03.2025

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Since 2013, the Instytutu of Art History at the University of Lodz has played a key role in promoting inclusivity in the field of culture and art, taking pioneering measures to increase accessibility for people with disabilities. One of the institute's main areas of research is modern audiodescription methods, which enable visually impaired people to perceive works of art on a compositional and emotional level. The team, led by Professor Aneta Pawłowska, works in close cooperation with local museums and cultural institutions, which contributes to the creation of practical solutions to increase accessibility. An important aspect of the work of the team from the University of Łódź is the involvement of potential audiences at every stage of the project activities, which guarantees the purposefulness and usability of the tools being developed (such as audiodescription, tactile graphics, Braille books.).

In 2019-2021, the team implemented the project ‘Łódź art against the background of European art. Excluded/Included', which received an enthusiastic reception and won numerous awards. In addition, 2 doctoral theses of the implementation type were defended at the University of Lodz on the issue of accessibility of culture for non-standard audiences of culture and art, among others, deaf people. Currently, a team of researchers from the Institute of History of Art in cooperation with computer scientists and philologists as well as the ophthalmic research laboratory from SWPS University are working on the ‘Friendly City’ project, which includes the creation of a mobile application to support the independence of visually impaired people in moving around Łódź. This project, through the use of modern technology, will significantly increase the mobility and independence of people with disabilities. The institute's innovative research has been recognised in the ‘Populariser of Science’ (2024) competition, highlighting its importance in the development of art history and in improving the quality of life of the local community. Thanks to the activities of the Institute of Art History, the Łódź Province is becoming more recognisable and attractive to tourists, promoting the values of inclusivity and accessibility.

Aneta Pawłowska is a professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and History, Institute of Art History, University of Lodz (Poland). She specializes in African art and culture, and her research interests extend to contemporary Polish art as well as the history and theory of collections. Her current work focuses on making art accessible to people with disabilities. Among her recent publications are: "Exhibition of Works by Grzegorz Sztabiński at The University of Łódź, Entitled Hommage à Grzegorz Sztabiński – 'Continued...,' as a Contribution to the Analysis of Ways of Looking at a Work of Art" (https://doi.org/10.26485/AI/2023/25/13 ), "Friendly City: Making Architectural Heritage Accessible" (DOI 10.36868/IJCS.2023.03.15), and "Problems of Expositions and Protection of Banksy’s Murals in Ukraine" (DOI:10.36868/IJCS.2023.01.08).

Magdalena Górska, PhD, is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and History, Institute of Art History, University of Lodz (Poland). She specializes in Jewish art and the art of the first half of the 20th century in Western Europe. Her research also delves into the topic of art inclusivity. In recent years, she has been involved in projects aimed at supporting individuals with sensory disabilities. Her recent publications include "Friendly City: Making Architectural Heritage Accessible" (DOI:10.36868/IJCS.2023.03.15) and "The Inclusivity of Art in City Space: Activities of Researchers from the University of Lodz to Support People with Sensory Disabilities. A Case Study from Lodz (Poland)" in "Transforming Media Accessibility in Europe: Digital Media, Education and City Space Accessibility Contexts," Springer 2024.

Adam Drozdowski PhD is a graduate and assistant professor at the Institute of Art History at the University of Lodz. He specializes in the history of clothing and textiles from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with a particular focus on interwar women's fashion, the history of textile design during the People's Republic of Poland, and the role of Łódź as a key textile and fashion center in the twentieth century. His academic work also addresses the accessibility of art for people with disabilities. He is a member of the Polish Institute of World Art Studies. His recent publication: The Inclusivity of Art in City Space. Activities of Researchers from the University of Lodz to Support People with Sensory Disabilities. A Case Study from Lodz (Poland), in: Transforming Media Accessibility in Europe. Digital Media, Education and City Space Accessibility Contexts / 2024, Cham, Springer, DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-60049-4_8

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Lightning Bites

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arts | Arts

Type of Case

event

Languages

English | Polish

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