Child-Friendly Public Art III

"Gift : Unknown Pocket 2" by Toshiko Horiuchi, 2009
© Sizuken, available under a Creative Commons Attribution/noncommercial/sharealike license

As a follow-up to last week's posts, more ideas coming in from parents on what makes public art child-friendly and some fun pictures I found on Flikr:

The most important item is to be able to touch, climb, hands on interaction. I cringe when I see the do not touch, do not climb, etc. signs.  Kids enjoy just walking on curbs and benches in a row. It doesn't have to be fancy. Don't program too much. Green open space to play is key. The best art is good for all ages. I think something that falls into kid or not kid has failed. A top notch designer will make it work for both. Don't forget shade! Personally I prefer trees.   

A sustainable interactive sculpture park generated by solar, wind, and rainwater collection.  Instruments move based on natural resources.  A kite sculpture that moves with wind but where kids can shift movement patterns by levers.  This ties into our annual kite festival. Also, we are bike-friendly city (or trying to be).  Could make a bike sculpture garden with tandem bikes that don't move but wheels turn (but are covered/protected so little fingers and hands can't get in).

We were in Minneapolis this summer and kids and all kinds of people love these outdoor sculpture gardens. They have picnic venders and weekend activities in that space. Iconic tourist destination that is welcoming and high concept. 

I think "tactile" and "interactive" art captures kids attention. 

LOVE Sculpture in Tokyo
© RageZ, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license

Child-friendly art:

• Is stupendously large to them.

• Is made to climb on or touch.

• Is designed to walk around, under or through to get different perspectives and promote discovery.

• Is friendly or kind in spirit, appears to be looking at you, inviting you or celebrating ... or has a story the adults can relate to.

• Is designed to improve with time, weathering and patina, not wear out.

• Is multi-sensory, with texture, visual sparkle/depth, sound or movement.

• Is designed into the surrounding environment with human-friendly features like shade, breezes, benches for tired parents, low walls, trees, or ponds, all of which are also designed for lounging, touching and climbing. 

Children's Landscape Park in Kyiv, Ukraine
© Anosmia, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license

© louisemakestuff available under a Creative Commons Attribution/noncommercial/sharealike license

Children's Landscape Park in Kyiv, Ukraine
© Anosmia, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license

Children's Landscape Park in Kyiv, Ukraine
© Anosmia, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license