The artist within us

During a recent “teachers only” visit to the museum’s current exhibit

                      Screens: Virtual Material 

we encountered several works of art surprisingly suggestive of some of the works that our children create in the studio each and every day. Curious as to how the children would respond to these pieces, we decided to bring small groups into the museum to observe how they interacted with these works of art. 

 

 

One group went, equipped with Magna-tiles in hand to pay a visit to Marta Chilindron’s Plexiglas sculptures. In the Linde Gallery, in the presence of these immense sculptures, we wondered if the children’s creations would vary from those they build in the studio.

 


A second group visited the exhibit Cool Medium: Art, Television and Psychedelia 1960-1980.  These paintings were full of different colors and shapes.  Would these familiar items inspire the children?  Supplied with an assortment of colored pencils they set to work creating in their journals.

Aaronel deRoy Gruber - Interim and Suggested Outerim
Alex drew distinct separate colors, then joined them as they reminded her of "all parts all around the world."
Jan Ehrenworth - Primordium
Jonah's interest was piqued by planets. "It's a ferry wing for the sun to drive on."
Paul Laffoley - The Ultimate Quest
Addie - Inspired by the angular shapes and the letters she noticed on the painting
John Stephan - Disc #11
Julia was captivated by the circular motion

Our hope is that our visit to the museum will help children to truly view themselves as artists as well. Once back in the studio, will they approach their work differently? Will we observe a clear intention or deeper investment as they move throughout our space?