My children gave me a chance to see the exhibition “Making Africa” more deeply. It sounds like a joke, but they are teaching me to look at art. You can read about that part in yesterday’s post. While walking through the contemporary design exhibition “Making Africa,” it became clear that if I was going to …
I am still learning how to look at art. On our recent visit to the exhibition “Making Africa,” my children and I sat down in front of the art. We slowed down and made ourselves comfortable. It makes sense that a museum is a good place to take your time and give yourself space to …
When do you talk to your children about racial injustice? September Gray, a gallery owner in Atlanta, will open an exhibition at the end of the month that is all about the dialogue. The upcoming show, “IF NOT NOW…WHEN?,” showcases six artists who have something to say about the history and present of racial injustice. …
This is not how art history should be explained… or is it? There are all sorts of ways to contextualize art, but not enough choose fun as a mode for understanding art. Josse Goffin’s “Ah!” reminds me how much my children have taught me about art, especially how to see it through laughter, surprise, and …
The story of Mimi’s Dada Catifesto follows a cat’s attempts to woo an artist into taking him home, while also introducing Dada art. The book has a few memorable lines like “Only art that does not look like art is art.” And a rant by the artist to a man dressed as a lobster saying, “…Dada is like …
We love going to art museums together. We make ourselves comfortable and have a sincere experience. But we cannot get a family picture of it! Taking three children under the age of six into an art museum is busy, and these boys are not into photos. Here is the proof (or cry for help). …
Our travel plan included going to Iowa in the winter and sharing a hotel room with three children under the age of 6. Plus, our main activity was going to an art museum. It doesn’t seem like it would be a remarkable vacation, but we would all vote to do it again! We laughed, had …
At “Tape Des Moines” by Numen/ For Use (2017), we took photos, we laid on the floor, and we talked. I asked my son why he thought it was made of tape. He said, “Because the artist wants us to think about it.” Why do I take my children to see art with me? Because I …
Numen For/Use is a collective of artists based in Europe (starting in Croatia). Their art installations include organic forms made of translucent tape that are suspended in space. They are made entirely by hand and without any computer modeling. “Tape Des Moines” is Numen For/Use’s first art installation in the United States. It is situated …
Believe or not, it’s mess-free painting with a 1 year old! I can’t believe that my youngest is one. As the 3rd child, he is super eager to get involved in projects. Instead of passing him the paints, we started using Chinese water painting paper. It’s like the buddha board or water wow products, but …