Mark you calendar: Nov 01 Day of the Dead events for kids at British Museum 11:00 to 16:00

I love going to the British Museum, but really hate crowded places full of lost tourists–which is a bit of dilemma when taking the kids over there.  A weekend visit to the BM will 100% be crowded (be most brave if it is raining). The place is also immense, so dragging little kids around can be unpleasant as well. Then again, the kids seem to enjoy it there. And of course it is an amazing place full of spectacular things to see.

The British Museum is a favorite for kids, avoid the crowds and keep the visit short

I was still pumped up for museums after my visit to the Neues Museum in Berlin earlier this week That place is amazing also.

Anyway, we tried to get to the British Museum early this Sunday when it opens every day at 10am,  but didn’t make it in the door until about 12:00. The good news was I found a sweet parking spot behind the Museum (Montague Place), where there is an entrance as well.

My 5-year old daughter had already been to the Museum with her class. She wanted to see the Rosetta Stone (room 4) again. The kids love the giant fragments from Egypt that impressively reign above the length of that hall. They were also very intrigued by the Assyrian Winged Lions (room 7 entrance). The Lion Hunt (room 10) though sort of scared them with the violent scenes of some many lions be slaughtered.  Niether of the kids liked the Elgin Marbles (room 18)–but both did enjoy screaming really loudly in that long room.

We decided to check-out an afternoon special session for kids for Medieval Dancing. There was live music and a dance instructor shepherding the kids (and a few parents) into some athletic steps.  It was good fun for 20 minutes or so.  There is also a digital learning center sponsored by Samsung. The map further advises that the Paul Hamlyn Library (next to Room 2) has daily kids events and resources. There are also “hands-on” exhibitions for kids in rooms 1,2,24,33,49,68 from 11:00 to 16:00 daily. I guess ask the docents also if you can’t find anything.

I would say to avoid the Egyptian Galleries with kids on the weekends. It is way too crowded. Some of the mummies are also a bit creepy for kids. There are many other less trafficked areas — such as the Sainsbury African Collection (room 25) which is a bit hard to find (even though it is really in the center of the Museum).  Look for the steps down near the Easter Island Hoa Hakananai’a statue.

Guidebook: Masterpieces of the British Museum –> Cheaper at Amazon then at BM entrance to the BM is free–but watch for over-priced stuff once inside.

Tip:  Bring your own water, snacks and don’t plan to eat at the Museum.

Tip:  The Museum is really enormous–don’t stay too long or your kids will get tired/bored/OOC (out-of-control). Pick a few items in advance and get in/get out.

Tip: Avoid the book shop — there is tons of junky stuff that will send a tired kid into a meltdown (when you don’t buy any junk for them)

Upcoming Event on Nov 01 that looks fun for kids -- Day of the Dead

Medieval Dancing, part of a selection of family events on offer

Winged Lions are cool (Lion Hunts are scary)

Not so crowded African Collection with lots of things to make the kids go "oooo"

Michal won spot in the gallery via the web contest that was run last year. It is a great program to help give talented artist some primo exposure. Saatchi is even generous enough to sell her piece without a commission.

The rest of the gallery has a lot to see as well ;0 .  There is currently a theme about artist from the middle east.  Kader Attia’s room with the praying figures made out of tin foil is really impressive.  To me is was a statement about the emptiness of prayer–but one might see other things in it. The sculpting of the foil is sublime (even if you half expect to see a potato inside).

I also like the “Hidden Victims” blurry piece by Halim Al-Karim down on the main floor. The images in this gallery can make one a little queasy as they flow in and out of focus. Some are very special lambda prints which is a stunning print process for digital work.

I also thought the oils by Ali Banisadr and especially his Land Of Black Gold was great stuff. The show runs through May 9, 2009.

Also check out the Saatchi website which has a lot of neato social media things on it..

We got off to a bad start actually. The first room had an art piece that was on the floor. Yeah, my son went straight for it like it was made out of cookie dough. Immediately I was admonished by the gallery monitor to “get the child off the installation as a matter of urgency.” Frankly it was made of rubber and was on the floor–so what did they expect? Or maybe my experience with whisking my kid off the soft foamy surface was part of the statement of this piece of art?

There is plenty of stuff to attract little hands and curious minds. The prostitutes of Tehran was intriguing.  And yes, the crocheted codpiece was immediately eye-catching. The giant bed was perhaps the most entertaining area for adults to see little kids wandering around within. The most popular was the old geezers in the auto-pilot wheelchairs. That is a great thing to see really.

So as far as art galleries go–it is an ok place to drag kids, but really they had more fun at the old reliable primrose hill playground. There were more than few delicate/dangerous things to grab/break so you will need to keep the kids in hand tighly. But, it was nice enough for us to get out though and see a few things in the art gallery (more about the Saatchi for adults here). And it is free entry…

A small chapel with a big impact created by Picasso in 1952 during his time in the South of France (1948-1955). It is more than 15 years after his Guernica painting that this La Guerre et La Paix Chapelle was opened in Vallauris Although it is a tiny place really, it overwhelms visitors with emotion and powerful images.

The warrior of peace is being attacked by the army of War on the left panel in the Chapelle. A powerful image of the fierce horses trampling burning books enflames the scene. While at the end of this panel a grotesque figure of War, collecting skulls and unleashing insects and viruses, pushes the action into battle.

The opposite panel gives some hope about justics and happiness using famillar symbols and family settings. In general this seems to be a hopeful Chapelle although set within the context of struggle and the darkness of war.

More info at the official site: http://www.musee-picasso-vallauris.fr/

There is also a museum here and there is also the Madura Gallery that continues to sell Picasso designed pieces in Vallauris as well as a Picasso Museum in Antibes. While this is not as well known as the Matisse Chapelle, it is definately worth experiencing.

info / opening hours

This is an art museum made by people that love art for people that love art. It is the best small modern art museum in the world. Share the deep appreciation for artist that gave Aimé and Marguerite Maeght the vision to create this unique place. It is an absolute must visit spot.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

The setting is serene and inviting. The galleries have been designed to light the art using nature light that helps you see the art in the way that the creators saw it. The Foundation presents shows across the year and also has a fantastic collection of pieces from Chagall, Miro, Giacometti and Braque.