This 3D artwork could help the blind 'see' famous paintings

For centuries, the blind have missed out on Mona Lisa's famous smirk.

Now, they can experience the masterpiece with a little help from 3D molding.

The nonprofit initiative Unseen Art hopes to make 3D-printed versions of famous art, like this Mona Lisa made from plaster by sculptor Caroline Delen, for the visually impaired. 

If their Indiegogo campaign is successful, the Unseen Art team hopes to create a site where artists could upload their creations. The online templates would be accessible to anyone who has a 3D printer.

The visually impaired could then "read" paintings.To create a model, artists would start with a high-resolution scan or photograph of the painting.

Then they would use 3D art software to create an interpretation of the art, making sure it's easy for the hands to feel. "Some details may be brought forward, and some may be simplified to highlight an impression of the painting," Dillon said.

The process seems to work, at least anecdotally. Riikka Hänninen, a woman born blind, tested a sculpture of the Mona Lisa.

"It doesn't really come across that she's really beautiful or anything," she says as she experiences the painting for the first time. "But I don't usually judge people by the prettiness of their faces."

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