Radio Bart
 

Dive deeper into a work of art with Radio Bart. Museum staff member Bart loves art and he is blind. But that doesn't stop him in his quest for meaningful conversations. In this way he helps visitors to look in a new way and to see more.

Bart Van Peer has been an employee of the KMSKA since 1992. He used to work as a front-desk receptionist. Although Bart gradually lost his sight, he remained active, for example as a presenter for a local radio station or organiser of poetry evenings at a bookshop. In digital times, however, the function of receptionist was no longer that straightforward.

The KMSKA matched Bart's many talents to the museum's ambitions to amaze, enrich and connect. This is how 'Look differently and see more, with Radio Bart' came into being.

Bart occupies a mobile studio in a museum gallery. Anyone who wants to can take a seat next to him for a conversation about a work of art. Prior knowledge is not required. Above all, Bart is curious: he may well ask for a description of the work, what visitors are seeing and what strikes them, or what message the artist is trying to convey. He asks questions such as: "Does this work evoke memories in you?" or "If you could step into the work yourself, what position would you want to be in, or who would you want to be?" That makes for interesting conversation.

Research has shown that on average, people linger in front of a work of art for mere seconds. ‘Looking differently and seeing more' means taking the time to really absorb a work of art. Visitors notice details they did not see before. By engaging in conversation with someone who cannot see the work, the visitor starts to look in a different way. Meanwhile, Bart lets his imagination run free. The conversation becomes a win-win for the visitor and Bart.

Bart neemt plaats in een mobiele studio in een museumzaal. Wie wil kan naast hem plaatsnemen voor een dialoog over een kunstwerk. Voorkennis is hierbij niet vereist. Bart is vooral nieuwsgierig: hij vraagt naar een beschrijving van het werk, naar wat bezoekers zien en opvalt, of de kunstenaar iets wil vertellen. Hij stelt vragen zoals: “Roept dit werk herinneringen bij je op?” of “Als je zelf in het werk zou kunnen stappen, op welke plaats zou je dan willen staan, of wie zou je willen zijn?” Dat levert boeiende gespreksstof op.

Uit onderzoek blijkt dat mensen gemiddeld maar enkele seconden voor een kunstwerk blijven staan. ‘Anders kijken en meer zien’ is de tijd nemen om een werk écht in je op te nemen. Bezoekers merken details op die ze voordien niet zagen. Door in gesprek te gaan met iemand die het werk niet kan zien, gaat de bezoeker anders kijken. Intussen laat Bart zijn verbeelding werken. Het gesprek wordt een win-win voor de bezoeker en Bart.

The museum is currently working on making this project more permanent. Three new blind or visually impaired persons are being trained as Radio Bart hosts.

The mobile studio has been designed by the ONBETAALBAAR collective with financial support from the King Baudouin Foundation. Radio Bart's ambassador is Hans Bourlon, entrepreneur and CEO of Studio 100.

Practical information

Dates: subject to change. Every Wednesday and Friday continuously from 10:30 to 16:30.

Radio Bart is canceled March 10 due to the public transportation strike.

• Location: in the museum galleries
• Duration: 15 minutes
• Price: free with museum ticket, reservation not required