Tactual Explorations

Head of Sophocles

The selected piece used as the artist’s inspiration in Tactual Explorations is the bronze bust of Sophocles at the British Museum, displayed in room 22 of Greek and Roman Antiquities section. Because the surface is too delicate to be handled regularly, and original Greek bronze works on a large scale are quite rare, the bust is currently displayed behind glass and touching is strictly forbidden. These restrictions and the amount of surface detail available, make this exhibit the perfect object for the Tactual Explorations project.

Sophocles was born about 496 BC in Colonus Hippus (now part of Athens). He was provided with the best traditional aristocratic education. In 468 BC, at the age of 28, he defeated Aeschylus, whose pre-eminence as a tragic poet had long been undisputed, in a dramatic competition. Sophocles went on to win first prize about 20 times and many second prizes.

His life, which ended in 406 BC at the age of about 90, coincided with the period of Athenian greatness. He numbered among his friends the historian Herodotus, and he was an associate of the statesman Pericles. He was not politically active or militarily inclined, but the Athenians twice elected him to high military office.

Many modern scholars consider Sophocles the greatest of the Greek tragedians. He is credited with numerous contributions to dramatic technique and innovation. Sophocles also effected a transformation in the spirit and significance of tragedy; thereafter, although religion and morality were still major dramatic themes, the plights, decisions and fates of individuals became the chief interest of Greek tragedy.

The bust is attributable to the Hellenistic period (4th – 1st Century B.C.), when portraits of earlier cultural and political figures were not uncommon. It is probable that this bronze head adorned a library. Bought by the Arundel collection in Constantinople in the 17th Century, it was then owned by Dr Richard Mead and the Earl of Exeter, before being presented to the British museum in 1760. In all likelihood, from its origins in a Greek library, through its various wealthy owners, to its current residence in the British museum, it is likely to have been rarely touched by human hands.

The head is stern faced and, without eyeballs, seems slightly sinister. The beard and head of hair (topped off with a rolled band) are well-executed features, presumably attesting to the great dramatist’s status – the rolled band was usually only worn by Greek statesmen. It is, overall, a successful representation, which conveys the importance of this man who died nearly 2500 years ago.

However, the use of this figure in the Tactual Explorations exhibition – reinterpreted to appeal to the sense of touch – highlights the limits of the purely visual art form. Whilst Sophocles form is well rendered we can only imagine that, even if the bust weren’t too delicate to touch, touching it would ultimately disappoint – the hair and beard offering the same cold and disinterested response to physical contact that the nose and lips, chin and cheeks would.

A direct replica made available for visitors who are visually impaired would not necessarily make sense as the visitor may not be able to assign visual memories to surface details, how would one know Sophocles is wearing a headband if one could not see it?

Tactual Explorations aims to address the possibilities opened by an artform that actively encourages the use of touch, in exhibitions where works are not confined on shelves or behind glass. It is interesting that an artwork so old, that has stood the test of time and communicates well within its own limitations, should provide the springboard for an exploration of a very new, very different form of art.