child-hating woman in Tate Modern

[bellawilliams]

I went to the Tate Modern this afternoon with a friend as we had heard they were running special family activities - and they were, and the staff were lovely and very helpful. Between us we had 5 children: two 4 year olds, a 2 year old and 2 babies. We were directed to a room in the gallery where the older children could look at the pictures and make their own collage with stickers all supplied by the gallery. While we were in there (and the older children were quietly getting on with the activity) my friend had to run outside and one of the babies started crying so I went to get out her bottle. In the ensuing few seconds of noise a hateful woman approached me and aggressively told me that 'this is not a kindergarten, this is a gallery - you can't have screaming children in here!" I was incensed but managed to keep my cool and explained that we were here as part of a Tate organised family activity. She kept on and said it should not be allowed so I asked her 'Do you think children should not be allowed to look at art?" and she said no!!! So I said very sarcastically 'What a LOVELY attitude' and proceeded to tell my friend very loudly what had happened. I am still furious!! Anyone else had such a reaction?????

This is that Tate, you are speaking about, not a 2-bit gallery set up by two A-level students. apologies to the sensible A-level students out there.

next, Surely this was the first 2 babies that crossed the Tate's threshhold since it opened.

and yes, i think taht they know more about insuring their arses up to the hilt against compensation claims from members of the public.

heck, babies go to Glastonbury. I don't think that or the Tate doesn't scrutinise their insurance policy at least once a year.

Isababel, agreed, but we are talking about a workshop specificly for families are we not? I think this thread has wandered a bit!

So? I have already said that nasty woman was a cow, am I not allowed to agree/disagree/or go deeper in the topic?

The only child activity DS has taken part in at tate modern involved sitting on one of thier nice wooden benches, choosing which stickers to stick on a sheet in response to the rothko paintings. (and a pretty crap activity it was, i think - very prescriptive and not the point of the way to experience the rothko room - i hated the activity). How on eart that could need special insurance, i don't know. And i speak as someone who organises quite adventurous drama activities in theatres 9very dangerous spaces - seriously) and outdoor site-specific spaces. As long as we do things which could be considered 'consistent with our normal business' our public liability insurers are happy.

Why are buggies so big these days. Big chunky wheels and plastic try things for drinks, They're just soooo big? How many buggies do you think the Tate accommodate anyway?

SoutheastAstra and Kerry - I can't believe what you are saying. I have been taking my children to museums and galleries since they were babies. They get loads out of it. I took them to see a Bridget Riley exhibiition at the Tate Britain four years ago when DD1 was six. She still talks about it.
And FYI Kerry, we had 24 hours in Dublin a couple of weeks ago and went to see the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle and the Dublinia exhibition and they loved all those too. And there was plenty more to see if we had had the time.

anything done in a public space would need insuring. like it or not things would be more free if not for public insurance claims

"They're just soooo big? How many buggies do you think the Tate accommodate anyway? 2

About 3 million in the Turbine Hall. Don't give them ideas. it will be a major Unilever series Exhibition.

I take my 4 year old to concerts (day time ones as he would be asleep for evening ones), art galleries, theatre (again suitable matinees), meseums and he is impeccably behaved because there are plenty of adults there modelling the behaviour and he copies them. Bach Brandenberg Concerti was the last one in the Cathedral on the front row.

I refuse to resign myself to five years of soft play and shopping malls when he is perfectly capable of behaving himself and is too young to know the word "boring".

Not read all posts.

I have had mine at the Gallery Of Moern Art in Glasgow, staff were great and kids loved sprawling out on the floor in front of the paintings with a pile of crayons and drawing their own versions.

Now they were older, no screaming, running around or drawing where they shouldn't, but their were still people glaring, staff made us feel so welcome and I didn't give a toss about any stuffy freaks.

It would look rather fab. Better than filling the Albert Hall full of holes.

interesting question that, onlyWotz. I think that idea would make a fine piece of living art for the Tate.

"like it or not things would be more free if not for public insurance claims " Yes, ain't that the truth. But death by crayonning wouldn't push the policy up as much as zip-lining, horse riding, ski-ing or even swimming - which hundreds of school children undertake in public pools week in, week out.
i do think that the risks in an art gallery are relatively low - and no worse for children or babies than for an adult. I wonder if anyone has ever claimed against a gallery?

Insurance policy! they may give £12,000,000 if a certain piece is damaged but the money won't bring back an irreplaceable piece. We would have lost a priceless part of our history. Sorry but I think that's rubish!

Well, a few people died inside of a sculture a few years ago, though not through their errors, they were meant to be inside of it when disaster struck.

here is the Tate's new installation

pram park he he

yes but a museum or gallery has to ensure that their pieces are looked after to the highest standard.

southeast...think you have lost the point of the OP to be honest so we'll just have to agree to disagree.

you are way off track with insurance, any accidents in a public place should be coveed automaticly by public liability ins....find your whole line a bit depressing tbh

Which bit is rubbish, isobel?

And, oh, bloody hell yes, the Inflatable disaster. That was awful.

and that piece of pottery was not insured as if i remember rightly - but they have public liabilty insurance otherwise as you say, they could not open their doors.

SEA, you are clutching at straws.

that insurance would be enough to cover for the loss of a piece, it's not all about money IYWIM. just that.

i answered the op ages ago!

Isababel, we're not talking about toddlers being allowed to manhandle ancient artefacts here we're talking about families accessing art, enjoying a day out and talking about what they see. Perhaps crayonning! Or even.....sticking!! fgs