For the past 5 days now, we have been hanging out in Auckland. It probably does not come as much of a surprise for you to know that I am thoroughly enjoying city life. It may surprise you a little more (as it does me) to know that "my guys" are enjoying it as much as I am, and that visiting cities with a toddler is actually a lot of fun.
A couple of days ago we spent the whole afternoon at the Auckland Art Gallery. The picture above is from inside one of the galleries installations, and as you can tell, Hudson is quite keen about art : )
Visiting the gallery on a Saturday was a smart move on our part because the place was teeming with children, and child friendly activities were put on throughout the day. Some of them, like the "I Spy" tour were probably meant for slightly older children so we skipped that one, but we did get to hang out with the Pacifica Mamas and Hudson (with some help from mommy and one of the "Mamas") made his very own piece of "Maori inspired" jewelry.
Karl on the other hand kept busy by snapping pictures of the actual building that houses the gallery.
(And earlier that day of the train station. And before that of some of the homes in the neighbourhood where we are currently staying. And before that of the home we are staying in. It would seem that this trip has brought out somewhat of an architecture appreciator in Karl. He's even started a separate folder on the hard drive for "house ideas". The families we have been staying with must find us a bit peculiar, because we have been taking pictures of anything and everything - from switch plate covers to kitchen islands, ironing board cupboards to patio doors. Some of the homes we have been staying in have been fantastically thought out - the last place we stayed in won a award in its category, which does not surprise me the least bit. Have you ever considered matching your drawer pulls to the fridge door handle? Our last host did, and I will too next time we re-do a kitchen. It's subtle, but man does it ever make a difference in the overall "look". But.... I digress....)
Back to being smitten by the Art Gallery...
Do you know what it costs to visit the AGO in Toronto these days? - $19.50 a person! And that's just the general admission.
Do you know what it costs to visit the gallery in Auckland? As little or as much as you would like. If you want to see the special exhibit on right now, there is a set price but the rest of the gallery is accessible to everyone! (Did I mention there is also a free bus that takes you to the gallery from the main transit station !?!) It's quite extensive too, both in the number of pieces they showcase and in the variety of art on display.
It's not just the Art Gallery in Auckland, either. Entry to the Museum here, the Te Papa in Wellington, the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch (I am sure there is many more, but we have actually been to all these so I can say that for certain - all are by donation. Which I think is the way it should be.
I believe that it is/should be the mandate of city museums and galleries to try to reach and engage as much of the general public as possible. Charging $20.00 for admission - you are keeping out a huge segment of the population. Cementing the unfortunate adage that "art is not accessible". (How did this post turn into a rant? I really did not mean for it to become one).
We have been to a whole lot of museums and galleries on this trip. I try to make a point of going whenever we are in a city/town longer then a couple of days. Everywhere we have been thus far, admissions have been considerably lower (if there is an admission fee at all) then those we are used to paying in Canada. I wonder why that is so.
In the interest of ending this post on a positive note, I have decided to turn it into a postcard contest since we haven't done one for a while. Thus;
Cheers,
M
6 comments:
My favourite was the Gallery Of Modern Art in Brisbane because it had this crazy exhibition by 82-year-old Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. You were given a sheet of stickers when you entered and you had to stick them all over this stark white room. By the time I got there it was not stark at all but I loved sticking my dots everywhere and the place was buzzing with such a fun energy. I like contributing to art. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2082582/Spot-The-artist-lets-children-cover-white-room-colourful-stickers.html
Hello from the Hammer!
This is not intended to be an entry for a post card...more of a note to let you know you have readers out there! I love your blog - I start most days with it and am disappointed that there isn't a live stream for this unbelievable adventure! Your pictures and stories are remarkable and I truly can't get enough of them!!
Gill, That sounds like so much fun! Hudson is sort of working on something similar these days ;).
Lori, what do you mean this is not a postcard entry. I will "enter" you just because you made my morning!
I think that my favourite museum would be the Field Museum in Chicago, Ill and that is for many reasons - it's affordability will be the reason # 1. This museum has (or had when I was there last time) an amazing exhibit about american aboriginal people and doesn't matter how many times we went there, we always found something new what we didn't notice before. It's location was another winning point.
If I should name my favourite museum here, in Ontario, that it must be the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, with fantastic Children's Museum, Canadiana Exhibit and for sure - the totem poles and lots of artefacts from West coast aboriginal people. And also, compare to Toronto, the price is right.
P.S. I love Hudson's expression admiring the ceiling (or his own reflection?). Can't wait to see more of your pictures and stories. Love you all,
mom
We haven't really taken the kids to any museums as of yet. Tyler hs been to the Children's Museum in Kitchener, but that is about it, so far.
Both my kids LOVE going to Toronto, so I totally understand the part about visiting the city fun for children. Tyler wanted to go to Toronto for his 5th birthday the other year. Hopefully this summer we will get to the AGO or the ROM or both. If we take a street car, Tyler would be set for the entire trip. That's all he asks about when we are there.
Love your blog. I have posted it on my own blog. Hopefully others are reading about your great adventures. Love it!
Trina
Hi Trina,
Hudson used to go to the Children's Museum in Waterloo all the time! My parents got us a membership for it as a Christmas Present last year. Not only did we enjoy going there, that weekend we went to the ROM last Feb. was a reciprocity weekend - we got into the ROM for free just for being members in Waterloo (a yearly membership in Waterloo costs about as much as a single entry to the ROM). The streetcar thing makes me laugh because that's so like Hudson - those two should hang out together more! :) Thanks for linking my blog to yours. I visit yours from time to time - you are ROCKING the 90 day thing! Good for you!
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