This extension of i-Map is designed primarily for visually impaired people.  Since i-Map was first launched in 2002, many visitors to the site have left comments and these have been used to make improvements and adjustments.  Advances in technology have also enabled us to incorporate audio, so the detailed descriptions of each work are now spoken.  This allows the animations, which highlight and simplify key aspects of the works, to fill the whole screen.  Biographical and orientation information is left as text and can be enlarged or accessed via screen-reader technology.  There is also a supplemented version of the site for people who wish to use raised drawings as additional orientation. The drawings can be downloaded from the Using the Raised Images page.  Finally, all references to left and right describe the image as we look at it and all the works belong to the Tate Collection.

The six twentieth century artists whose works are explored here, all share an interest in the material reality of everyday life.  Their art engages with traditional subject matter such as landscapes, still lives, interiors and portraits.  So even when their subjects are abstracted, the viewer never loses a sense of emotional or physical recognition.  Their work engages with a wide range of techniques, materials and styles and many were interested in each other's work.  Caulfield was a great admirer of Leger and Picabia was interested in the Metaphysical paintings of De Chirico.  There are also strong links with the previous i-Map project, which focused on the work of Matisse and Picasso. Goncharova and Leger were very influenced by Cubism, while the collage techniques of Schwitters and Paolozzi have their origins in the collages of Picasso and Braque.  Looking at a single work by an artist cannot convey the extent of their artistic development or the scope of their creativity.  However, the chosen works are representative of important periods in each artist's career. 

The first i-Map project was launched in 2002 to coincide with Tate
Modern's Matisse Picasso exhibition.  It was created in response to the limited availability of resources that enabled visually impaired people to engage with two dimensional, abstract works of art.  As an online project, i-Map enabled people to study the art independently.  It was also designed to work either in conjunction with a gallery visit or at a distance. With its innovative use of animation and raised image technology it received widespread praise and was awarded an Interactive BAFTA Award for Accessibility later that year. It was also commended at the Visionary Design Awards of 2002 and the Jodi Mattes Award 2003.  We hope that this new i-Map project continues to be a useful tool for visually impaired people and would welcome comments and suggestions.

Our award-winning original project, based on works by Matisse and Picasso, is also available for you to explore.