Blind man the first to experience new Volvo
Car manufacturers are usually feverish in their efforts to keep their latest models under wraps until the very last possible moment, but Volvo has invited an artist to a unique preview of its S60 saloon. The S60, which is due to be officially unveiled next March at the Geneva motor show, has been revealed to Esref Armagan, a blind artist who will be revealing his interpretation of the new saloon on the internet.
Esref uses his hands and other senses to identify the shape of any object he's painting. His skills are extraordinary, with scientists baffled at his ability to capture perspective correctly despite his blindness. Using his hands as brushes Esref has painted everything from historic buildings, seascapes, flowers and forests to a portrait of former US President Bill Clinton.
At the Volvo Cars design studio in Goteborg, Sweden, Armagan met design director Peter Horbury who showed the artist the jealously guarded secret. "I'm proud of the new Volvo S60. It has a much more dynamic and sculpted form than any previous Volvo. That's why this feels like such an exciting project introducing our forthcoming model to someone as unusual as a blind artist," says Horbury.
Esref was equally excited about the opportunity to paint the new S60, saying: “It was an honour for me to be asked to do this and I take it as a confirmation of my ability as an artist.” Esref's work can be seen at www.facebook.com/volvo
