It is with profound sadness that we announce that the master Guido Dettoni della Grazia passed away during the night.

His passing represents a great loss for all who had the privilege of knowing him, working by his side, and sharing in his creative universe. Throughout his career, Guido Dettoni della Grazia distinguished himself not only through his talent and artistic vision, but also through his extraordinary humanity, his generosity, and his remarkable ability to inspire everyone around him.

His thought, his work, and the mark he has left on so many projects and in so many people will continue to live on in the legacy he entrusts to us.

 

We wish to share this news with all the friends, followers of his work, and collaborators who over the years have been part of his professional and human journey.

 

In the coming days, we will share information about any gatherings or spaces of remembrance that may be organized to honor his memory.

 

The funeral service will take place on Sunday, March 8, at 1:00 PM at the Sant Gervasi Funeral Home in Barcelona (Spain).

HANDSMATTER DEAFBLINDNESS

Introducion by Guido Dettoni

May the four hands shaping the matter become communication between the deafblind person and their intervenors or anyone else? May the tactile shapes become an empathetic approach to the deafblind condition for those who can hear and see? May we learn and discover about ourselves living and sharing an Handsmatter creative process held by deafblind or disabled persons?

Yes.

 

I arrived at the conclusion that deafblind persons as well as disabled ones are here to teach us to grow and to be inclusive.

I am referring to the idea that people with disabilities not only can teach us valuable lessons about life but also include in our mindset other visions of being human. This is a common theme in disability studies and is often referred to as the “social model” of disability. According to this model, disability is not an individual problem but rather a social one that arises from the way society is organized. People with disabilities are seen as experts on their own experiences and can teach us about the barriers they face and how to overcome them:

 

After experimenting and experiencing the HANDSMATTER process for many years, I proposed it as a working method, being a moment of discovery for the deafblind person ; discovery that is put at the service of the communication and inclusion of deafblindness.

THE WORKSHOPS

Deafblind people and their intervenors share within their four hands malleable matter specifically designed for this purpose. The matter softens with the warmth of their hands and the outcoming shape hardens in a cool water basin.

Neither has any conscious intention to do something specific. The four hands intertwine in and with the matter. The intervenor is following and enters a passive state of supporting the process without thinking or observing, sensitive to leaving the other free to continue alone if he or she wishes.

HANDSMATTER DEAFBLINDNESS
HANDSMATTER DEAFBLINDNESS
HANDSMATTER DEAFBLINDNESS

The process may last more than one hour and in the end, we will hold shapes which are like imprints and testimonies of emotions and sentiments experienced in shaping the matter.

 

During these workshops I discovered and created the Deafblind Shape sculpture.

1ST EXPERIENCE

DEAFBLIND SHAPE

DEAFBLIND SHAPE WITHIN HANDS

TEXAS SCHOOL FOR BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

TESTIMONIAL OF CHRIS MONTGOMERY, INTERVENOR

CANADIAN DEAFBLIND ASSOCIATION ONTARIO | long version

CANADIAN DEAFBLIND ASSOCIATION ONTARIO | short version

APPROACH TO HANDSMATTER DEAFBLINDNESS EXPERIENCES

TOUCH PERFORMANCE CAIXAFORUM