Say hello to Silvana Pop, a Picasso Posse blogger who's out and about on the art scene, and works in public relations at Please Touch Museum, the Children's Museum of Philadelphia. Here, she writes about visiting the Picasso exhibition with little ones in tow.
When my brother was six years old, he wrote a report about a family trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While I do not remember all the details he shared in his assignment, what has stuck with me through the years is his innocent observation: “All the paintings were called Oil on Canvas,” he wrote.
Of course, he was referring to the media, rather than the artworks’ actual titles because the plaques accompanying the paintings were right at his eye level— they were the most accessible part of the artworks. While I still chuckle thinking back on my brother’s endearing naiveté, this anecdote vividly brings to light the way children and the adults with them can experience an art exhibtion.
First: Encourage kids to explore the artwork in simple ways. Rather than focusing on the deep meaning of the pieces, stick to the basics and ask your child to describe the colors, shapes, and recognizable human features and objects. Put yourself in your child’s place—and at their eye level—to see a canvas in its entirety, rather than focusing solely on what's visible in their immediate eye sight.
When my brother was six years old, he wrote a report about a family trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While I do not remember all the details he shared in his assignment, what has stuck with me through the years is his innocent observation: “All the paintings were called Oil on Canvas,” he wrote.
Of course, he was referring to the media, rather than the artworks’ actual titles because the plaques accompanying the paintings were right at his eye level— they were the most accessible part of the artworks. While I still chuckle thinking back on my brother’s endearing naiveté, this anecdote vividly brings to light the way children and the adults with them can experience an art exhibtion.
First: Encourage kids to explore the artwork in simple ways. Rather than focusing on the deep meaning of the pieces, stick to the basics and ask your child to describe the colors, shapes, and recognizable human features and objects. Put yourself in your child’s place—and at their eye level—to see a canvas in its entirety, rather than focusing solely on what's visible in their immediate eye sight.
Second: If attempting to see all 200 pieces in the exhibition feels daunting, let your child be your guide and pick a few pieces to explore. Picasso's Three Musicians and Still Life with Bowls and a Jug present good opportunities to discuss the aforementioned elements and can spur further dialogue, even after your visit to the museum.
Photo (above) courtsey of Silvana Pop; photo (center) courtsey of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Photo (above) courtsey of Silvana Pop; photo (center) courtsey of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
