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AIBU?

to want to take my 3yr old and 1 yr old to see Anish Kapoor exhibition?

16 replies

Woollymummy · 15/11/2009 20:07

I want to go, my mum (an artist) wants to go, my grumpy (artist) aunt has offered to pay for mum and herself to go, but doesn't think the Royal Academy/Anish Kapoor is suitable for yound children. I will be there with my partner as well, so the reigning in of little ones will be easier, but I feel she is sneerily saying "don't come and embarrass me", incidentally not to my face but indirectly through my mum. I feel insulted, I have been thoroughly immersed in art from a yound age and want my kids to have unique experiences. The gallery is open to under sevens, and lets them come in for nothing, so why should my own family make me feel unwelcome. I don't fucking get to go out anywhere at all these days and I want to go to this without feeling like a naughty girl. Has anyone taken their kids? Did they like it? Is it unsuitable? Is my aunt being a Victorian? should I even speak to my aunt about it, or should I just go anyway. I want to go with my mum as we hardly ever see each other, but she is so tight she won't go unless my aunt pays for her to get in, so I am in a bit of a fix. Grrrrrrrrr Hmmmmmphhhh

OP posts:

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Woollymummy · 15/11/2009 20:09

sorry, i meant young, not yound.

OP posts:

Earlybird · 15/11/2009 20:09

Can you afford a babysitter?

Think all of you would enjoy yourselves much more without such young children at a 'serious' exhibition.

warthog · 15/11/2009 20:11

go. they'll be fine and you'll enjoy it.

Vallhala · 15/11/2009 20:15

Just looked at the website (pleb that I am) and I can see no problem with it. The cannon and red paint might take a little explaining, something we adults understand the symbolism of, but could be easily passed off to a 3 year old as someone having fun with red paint and being messy.

You're mum, not your family and if you are okay with it then why shouldn't you take your DC? As you say, you and DH will keep your DC 'under control', so to speak. Whats their problem? Daft!

LucyHoneychurch · 15/11/2009 20:23

My DD (1) spent best part of today in an art gallery. She loved it. I loved it and I don't think her enthusiasm for the umpteenth painting of a cat we found did anything to effect others enjoyment of it.
Take your DC. I am gutted I will not get down to London before the exhibition closes.

domesticslattern · 15/11/2009 20:29

I am taking my one year old. She has been to a fair few 'serious' art exhibitions and always been fine! I know others who have taken toddlers to Kapoor, and the toddlers quite like the exhibition apparently. Especially the thing in the courtyard.

Just treat it like a restaurant or similar. The onus is on you to keep your kids under control and to ensure that they don't wreck it for others by running about screaming and yelling. I take DD out of art exhibitions if she starts screaming, and the attendants have always, always let me back in again when DH finishes in the exhibition and comes to take her off my hands. You could do the same?

And it will be very crowded, so try not to take a pram, or at least, try not to poke too many people with it.

chunglimum · 15/11/2009 20:30

I went on a rare child-free day and ended up wishing dd (3) was there! There were loads of children there, really enjoying it. The cannon was really loud though, dd wouldn't have liked that. If you've got your partner there to help it should be fine. Hope you get there and enjoy it!

SecretNinjaChipmunk · 15/11/2009 20:39

haven't been to the anish kapoor one but ds who is two has been to loads of galleries and exhibitons and loves them usually. so much so he tried to give one of the security people a big cuddle at the national portrait gallery. unless they are screaming their little heads off and getting on everyones nerves including your own then i think they should always be included. both my parents are artists and like you its something i was brought up with. your aunt just sounds a bit you might enjoy it more without her?

LotsterShoveInYerStocking · 01/12/2009 23:51

Hi there, I've just been last Sunday and went with my two BF's, one of whom brought her two children - aged 8 and nearly 5. There were a few babies but not many toddlers/children.

TBH the kids loved it and were well behaved, despite queueing in the rain for an hour outside for what is essentially a short exhibition, half an hour inside would be ample.

The problem is, you're not allowed to touch anything, two rooms are full of small sculptures on the floor with very little room to negotiate your way through(so buggies tricky), and everything is soooo tactile... even us adults were desperate to touch the exhibits, the children almost managed it!!

I don't think my three year old would have managed to keep his hands to himself, or I would have been as on edge as my friend was. But it is fabulous. And sometimes they surprise you don't they?

If you do take them I guarantee they'll love "Svayambh"! I loved "Slug". Let us know how it went, and take something to keep their hands busy so grumpy Auntie can't say owt!! The shop is right by the exhibition so a treat from there before you go in could work?

Eliza70 · 02/12/2009 12:49

I have been to this and think your children will love it, there were loads of kids there when i was there - they LOVED the moving wax thing and you could just see all of them itching to touch it!

Go for it!

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 02/12/2009 12:52

I took my small DC to Jeff Koons. They weren't remotely interested in touching anything but I had to overcome strong urges myself hehe.

smee · 02/12/2009 13:36

Took our five year old and he loved it so much he made my mate take him for a second visit. It's perfect for kids and a great way to start them seeing Art Galleries are intriguing essential places. I can't see the problem in terms of other adults visiting so long as you don't let them run riot. IGNORE HER...

smee · 02/12/2009 13:38

ps: top tip - take something to nibble on and sit on the floor with the kids by the wire and wait for the cannon firing - it gets very crowded when it's about to go off.

LotsterShoveInYerStocking · 02/12/2009 14:01

Oh I missed the cannon

diddl · 02/12/2009 14:44

Go as a family and let your mum& aunt go together?

mazzystartled · 02/12/2009 14:53

I think the RA would be horrified to know people think that children would not be welcome.

It is definitely about your aunt rather than the venue. Take them anyway and prove her wrong.

Unless you think your mum and aunt want a grown up time together?

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