Many cultural institutions both U.S. and International, have made their collections available online. In this time of Social Distancing and Self Quarantine they want to keep their collections in view. I admit, I am a museum-a-holic. I’m one of those people who has a favorite museum in every city I’ve visited, particularly art museums. The arts are non-verbal communication mediums that hold our history, our culture, our fears and our hopes for everyone to see. These ideas can be translated into words and stories that interest even young children with a little imagination. Here’s how:
Step One: Go to the website of the museum of your choice. Something that will interest your child. Science? Art? History? For me it’s history and art, so I choose the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Step Two: Select a painting or sculpture from the museum collection. I have selected Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. Don’t look at the museum’s explanation. Examine the image. Use zoom to look at the details.
Step Three: Ask questions about the image. Who are these people? What are they doing? Why are they dressed like that? Is this happening now or long ago? How can you tell? Why is that little girl there with all these men? What time of day is it?
Step Four: Now that you have examined the painting together, make up your own story about the painting. The only rule is that you must include details and characters from the picture in your story.
Step Five: Now read the museum’s description. Is it what you thought? How is it different? Which do you like better, your story or the artists’ story?
There is no right or wrong way to interpret art. The experts disagree all the time. Viewpoints change with each generation. Google Arts & Culture has teamed up with over 2500 museums and galleries including the The National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.(American Fashion 1740 to 1895), the Pergamon Museum in Berlin (the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, The Pergamon Altar) and the British Museum in London (Egyptian Mummies, the Rosetta Stone). Many offer virtual museum tours, so you can “walk” through the museum together, stopping wherever you find an article of interest.
There is something for everyone. Enjoy!