I think it’s amazing the things that kids can articulate about art. Just the other day we were in an eclectic antique store near my in-laws and K came over to me rather distraught and said “Mommy, I don’t like that painting.” Without even looking up, I told him that wasn’t a nice thing to say about someone else’s art. He then quickly responded with, “But I don’t like the way it makes me feel.”
With that, I looked up at the painting and knew exactly what he meant. I couldn’t put my figure on it, but I didn’t like the way it made me feel either. It was just a woman’s face, but had an unsettling edge to it somehow. I told him that it was a good thing that he noticed that about the art and that we didn’t need to hang around near it for one more second. I was pretty surprised that a six year old would notice and then communicate something like that.
It confirmed some of my core beliefs that art and environment are so important for kids – I believe they are important for people who used to be kids as well.
On another note, we completely enjoyed the children’s exhibit at the Riverside Art Museum – no bad feelings there. ? They even have a kid’s scavenger hunt for art on display throughout the museum which was a big hit. We highly recommend it.
#thoughts