I was in the company of a nine year-old yesterday on my first visit to the local art museum. As we walked through a gallery of Rodin, Moore, Giacometti and Lachaise bronzes I was just amazed by the figures.
I’ve been interested in art for decades so the nudes do not bother me. I did keep the young man from seeing some French art that bordered on “bawdy” with women with cleavage entertaining men. This is a public art museum, so nothing risque, but not the kind of art I really enjoy and certainly not for a nine year-old.
We saw some really cool art and he still wasn’t into it, so we’ll try it again for a short visit when he comes back for a week next month.
He didn’t say a word about the nude bronzes until he talked to his father last night, and said, it was not “100% appropriate.” I laughed quietly in the kitchen, as I’ve seen Greek and Roman art since I was younger than he was and never had an issue with nudes in fine art.
I tried to teach him about perspective (medieval vs. renaissance) and compared the soldiers in their uniforms at the War Memorial next door to a Mannerist tomb in terms he could understand.
It wasn’t until we went to the education center that he glommed onto the computers and learned a bit about art conservation. This was his first art museum and I don’t believe in forcing kids to do what they don’t want to do (my parents did). But I love art and visit museums and churches all over the world. I don’t know what approach works best, but as he is not my child, I think dabbling a bit is the best way to go.
I even chose the rooms. A few Renaissance, then on to pop art and new exhibitions. Three million drinking straws. Go figure. Thank you, Tara Donovan!
Thanks especially to the security guard who told us the wings were about to be folded down at noon, then lifted again. We went up to the bridge and saw this remarkable feat created by Santiago Calatrava. A huge portion of the building moves and it’s remarkable.
What a good trip we had. Having guests visit a new city allows us to see it for the first time, because the move itself takes its toll on the new residents (us).
More guests next month, but first we need to get rid of the rest of the boxes and hang some pictures and quilts. When I use my phone here, even though we have furniture enough to make a home, it still echoes. Here’s to family, friends and new adventures. Dee
Cooking with Dee 