Emily Blaine | Hepworth: re/Touch
“Forms in Movement”
“Forms in Movement (Pavan)” by Barbara Hepworth, housed at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, is a bronze sculpture created in 1967. It’s a work that explores the relationship between form and space, utilizing the flexibility of metal to create gentle, looping shapes. Hepworth’s work is known for its abstract and simplified forms, and “Forms in Movement (Pavan)” exemplifies this.
Intro and Process
This project explores the intersection of materiality, accessibility, and viewer engagement through the recreation of Barbara Hepworth’s Forms in Movement. Using 3D scanning, lost-wax bronze casting, and surface experimentation, I produced a small-scale tactile replica designed for non-visual interaction. Developed in partnership with The Haptic 9 Co. and the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, the work will become a permanent tactile object within the museum’s collection. It serves as an expansion of the Blind Touch Tours program, enhancing the experiences available to blind and visually impaired visitors. By reinterpreting a modernist form for tactile exploration, this project deepens the relationship between artwork and audience and reaffirms a commitment to inclusive, multisensory exhibition design.
“Forms in Movement” | re/Touch
This small-scale replica of Forms in Movement was created through a multi-stage process that began with high-resolution 3D scanning of the original sculpture. The digital model was then refined for tactile clarity and scaled down for hand-held interaction. A wax positive was produced using a mold, followed by lost-wax bronze casting. The final bronze form was carefully finished by hand, with selective surface treatments to enhance texture and invite exploration. The result is a durable, tactile object that captures the spatial rhythm and formal language of Hepworth’s work, reimagined for non-visual engagement.
Meet Emily
Emily Blaine
Sculpture
Emily Blaine was born and raised in the Ozarks. She is currently a junior at the Kansas City Art Institute, majoring in sculpture. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between digital and analog experiences, creating tactile pieces that emphasize sensory engagement, aligning with her mission to create more inclusive and immersive interactions.
re/Touch: The Feel of Art
A partnership with the Kansas City Art Institute and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
“Emily brings an executive-level of calm tenacity and quiet resilience. She pushes through challenges, both creative and professional, with confidence while transforming former barriers into enthusiastic allies to support her cause.”
Keith Kirkland
CEO, The Haptic 9 Co.