This second article in our series on the unique value of elevated prints spotlights one of the most exciting examples of our projects: An die Freude (Ode to Joy). This initiative demonstrates how tactile reproductions can create strong connections with a much larger audience. Kasper Hardenbol, Product Line Manager Large Format Graphics at Canon Production Printing explains how elevated printed photos were developed to create a visible and tactile interpretation of the Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. We also discover the impact these images had on participants and visitors to the performances and exhibitions in Vienna, Austria, and Bonn, Germany.
An die Freude @ Westlicht Museum for Photography in Vienna, Austria
© Mariko Tagashira
Breathing new life into one of music’s most iconic pieces
As part of a unique combination of music, movement and photography, elevated prints added a new dimension to an incredible, inclusive experience of Beethoven’s 9th symphony. The story began in 2023: “We were approached by our Canon Headquarters in Tokyo to help photographer Mariko Tagashira create elevated prints for an exhibition in Vienna. The idea behind the prints was to support the White Hands Chorus NIPPON, a Japanese choir of young people with various disabilities,” Kasper tells us.
“The deaf children in the choir sing in sign language,” he explains. “Mariko Tagashira recorded their signs in a series of amazing photos, which we then converted into elevated prints. The idea was to breathe new life into one of music’s most iconic pieces by sharing with the non-sighted members of the choir what the deaf children were producing with their hands. In February 2024, the choir was even invited to perform at the United Nations in Vienna. The resulting elevated printed photographs, which were exhibited at the Westlicht Museum of cameras & photography, in the heart of the Austrian capital, had a far greater impact than we could have ever imagined. It was particularly moving and inspiring to see how the children were able to see and feel the photos, and interact with each other about them.”
“The project has transcended all the different abilities, breaking down barriers and opening up new discussions and interactions.”
Kasper Hardenbol
Beethovenfest Bonn
Later that year, the Beethovenfest organized a series of events and publications in Bonn to mark the 200th anniversary of the premiere of Beethoven’s 9th symphony. Erika Colon, the Venezuela-born Artistic Director of the White Hands Chorus, trained up a new German choir, which performed at the opening weekend of the Beethovenfest in a packed Münsterplatz in the heart of the city. Her choir was joined by the Bundesjugendorchester (National Youth Orchestra of Germany), the World Youth Choir, Bonn citizens and the sign language choir Klingende Hände Euskirchen.
As part of the festival, the Beethovenfest worked together with the Beethoven-Haus Bonn to present a special and inclusive exhibition of tactile images in the Chamber Music Hall. Visitors were encouraged to touch and experience the prints for themselves.
“I was moved to see how a deaf child used the elevated prints to explain to a blind child what they could feel.”
Erika Colon
A symphony of inclusion: music beyond sound
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How do you feel a photo?
Kasper: “We were asked to convey a photo as something that can really be felt. The initial challenge was combining the design with the final result. But, in fact, the captivating elevated prints that were created are actually easy to achieve. Our team is always enthusiastic about supporting initiatives like An die Freude. We’re able to teach artists and designers how to create their own elevated prints quite quickly, from fine art reproductions to elevated printed photographs. You can make designs in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, for example, and then simply create a standard pdf that can be imported directly into our PRISMAelevate XL software.”
“It’s a real honor to support projects like An die Freude. And the enthusiasm from the children at the performance was like nothing I’d ever seen before in my life.”
Kasper Hardenbol
So impressive, yet so easy to achieve
The prints from the original Vienna exhibition were spotted by the Essl Foundation, an Austrian charity whose mission is to support social innovation, social entrepreneurship and persons with disabilities. “They were so impressed by the An die Freude experience that they asked Mariko Tagashira to create a design for their Zero Project,” Kasper says proudly. “With very little basic instruction, Mariko has been able to produce her own designs for elevated prints, which ESSL is now using internationally to show what is possible and how this technology can be used to break down barriers.”
L: Erika Colon performing in a packed Münsterplatz in Bonn, Germany
R: An die Freude @ Beethoven-Haus Bonn in Bonn, Germany
© Mariko Tagashira
“Beethoven was himself deaf when he wrote his 9th symphony. These elevated prints really are an Ode to Joy.”
Kasper Hardenbol
Discover more
Read more about the An die Freude project:
- Sign of the times: How Canon technology is breathing new life into one of music’s most iconic pieces – Canon Press Centre – Canon Europe
- Adding a symphony of touch to Beethoven’s 9th – Canon Europe
Hear about background to the Vienna, Austria performance: Canon x Visible An Die Freude Project
Watch the performance and see the exhibition in Bonn, Germany: Bringing Beethoven to life: how music, technology & inclusion connect us
Check out the other articles in the series: Indistinguishable likeness – graphiPLAZA
Develop your idea further
Do you have a great idea, you’d like to explore with elevated prints? Take a look at some of the many other projects and articles on elevated print, such as:
- www.mauritshuis.nl/nu-te-doen/tentoonstellingen/who-is-that-girl-with-a-pearl-earring/
- Experience Rembrandt’s brushstrokes like never before – graphiPLAZA
Or contact your local Canon representative.
About Mariko Tagashira
Born in Onomichi, Hiroshima, Mariko Tagashira began her career in 2005 with major works for Japan Post, Suntory and universities, along with commissions for portraits of politicians, artists and business executives. She finds inspiration in people’s energy facing difficulties.
Mariko Tagashira
About White Hands Chorus NIPPON
White Hands Chorus NIPPON (WHCN) is an inclusive choir with members from 6 to 40 years old. Half of them are children with disabilities like hearing or vision impairment, Down syndrome, wheelchair users. Other singers are without disabilities. The Japanese education system lacks inclusive learning environments where children with and without disabilities can interact together, and we are rarely able to enjoy music together with deaf people. We believe, that as various musical instrument can harmonize together, inclusive people can perform music together. Based on the vision of »El Sistema«, a Venezuelan philosophy for social change, WHCN is operated by El Sistema Connect (based in Tokyo, Japan) and instructed by professional artists such as its Artistic Director Erika Colon (Soprano singer) and Tetsuya lzaki (Advisor to Deaf Theater Company). They offer free workshops in Tokyo, Kyoto and Okinawa so that any children can participate regardless of their financial status.
White Hands Chorus NIPPON