Solar eclipse hype is already “a bittersweet experience for me,” said John Furniss. “I’d love to see the total eclipse. I’d love to see the sun’s corona.”
But he can’t. Furniss has been blind since age 16. He’s a graduate of the School of Piano Technology for the Blind; he worked for a few years as a piano technician and rebuilder. He also does woodworking and other arts; he and his wife, Anni Becker Furniss, love turning out for arts festivals and demonstrating his talents and abilities despite his lack of sight. They even visit schools to smash stereotypes and talk about “the blind experience,” Anni Becker Furniss said.
“It’s really important for children … to have a good example of a productive and active blind person living a full life without missing out on anything,” she said.
Still, John Furniss was definitely feeling “bummed out about the eclipse. I didn’t want to go to any viewing parties or events,” he said.
But Becker Furniss, an artist, came up with a great plan. She and her husband have lots of artistic, creative friends, so she invited all of them — and anyone else — to describe or portray the experience for John Furniss in whatever creative way they choose.
As long as it’s not purely visual art. That won’t do him any good.
“My husband John is totally blind,” Becker Furniss wrote on Facebook. “He is the biggest science geek that I know and is really bummed he won’t be able to witness the eclipse.
“I’m asking for your help! During or after the eclipse, would you mind coming to this event page and describing what you see as best you can with words (you can get creative with songs or poems if you’d like!). I am inviting other blind friends to this event as well so they can experience it too.”
She said Clark County poet laureate Christopher Luna was the first to sign up. “We’ve been friends for years. His words mean a lot to me,” she said.
Anni Becker Furniss’ public event page on Facebook is called “Eclipse for the Blind.” Anyone can see it, and anyone can participate. Becker was originally assuming the art would be words or music only, and sharable online — but if someone creates something tactile, she said, perhaps a get-together can be arranged.
The Columbian will report on the project’s results a few days after the event.
