Radio Bart: see differently, see more

BY AN VAN HERTUM

Bart Van Peer has been working at the KMSKA since 1992. As a receptionist, he manned the front desk, where visitors admired his beautiful voice. Bart gradually became blind. He has never stayed still: his activities range from presenting at a local radio station to reciting poetry. After the museum’s closure, a new role had to be created. Meet Radio Bart!

The name “Radio Bart” is very evocative. What does it involve?

Bart Van Peer: “With Radio Bart, I sit in a mobile studio inside a museum gallery. Visitors can approach me and engage in a dialogue about their experience of an artwork. Since I am blind, I ask people to describe the work for me. I ask them what they see: shapes, colors, size… But I am also curious whether they think the artist is trying to convey a message. I use a number of methods, such as: ‘Does this work bring back any memories for you?’ or ‘If you could step into the work yourself, where would you want to be, or who would you want to be?’ This leads to fascinating conversations.”

That seems like a big step.

“Indeed. During the long closure of the museum, my duties gradually became smaller. Social contact has always been important to me, and it’s not easy to spend day after day just answering phones. While looking for a suitable new role, I casually mentioned that I used to work in radio. It was once my biggest hobby. I had also taken courses in recitation and diction and – according to some – have an appealing voice. When this project was proposed, I immediately jumped in. I thought: ‘This is it. This is completely my thing. Here I can really express myself.’ It remains a challenge each time. Every conversation is unique. Fortunately, I am well supported and surrounded by a great team.”

Who is involved in Radio Bart?

“I have a job coach and a coach for conversation techniques: interviewing, asking the right questions, following up, using different methods… The mobile studio is designed by the collective ONBETAALBAAR with financial support from the King Baudouin Foundation. There is also an exchange with the center for the blind and visually impaired, De Markgrave. We want to make the project sustainable by eventually including other blind or visually impaired presenters. I can hardly put my bed in the museum,” (laughs).

The slogan is “See differently, see more.”

“Research shows that people spend on average 28 seconds in front of an artwork. ‘See differently, see more’ means, among other things, taking the time to truly absorb a work. By asking questions, people often notice things they hadn’t seen before. But also, by talking with someone who cannot see the work, a completely new way of looking emerges. You start observing again and are challenged to find the right words: how do you explain an image, a brushstroke, or a color to someone who cannot see? Meanwhile, I can let my imagination work. This way, the conversation becomes a win-win for both me and the visitor.”

What kind of questions do people ask about your blindness during the conversations?

“The beautiful thing is that visual impairment or blindness often becomes a starting point for a conversation. Questions people frequently ask include: ‘What can you still see? What is your perception of certain colors? How do you look at art as a blind person? Were you born blind?’ People sometimes feel awkward using words like ‘see’ and ‘look,’ while I use them all the time. So the conversation provides insights not only about the artworks but also about what it means to be blind.”

What do you do with all those insights?

“That depends on how the project develops after the reopening. If it resonates well, it would be nice to work toward an audio product, like a podcast. So we occasionally ask if a conversation may be recorded. But the core of Radio Bart remains dialogue: in the museum galleries, in front of an artwork. We also collect quotes from visitors—statements that stick or really stand out. And who knows, sooner or later we might even get airtime somewhere?” (laughs)