Städtische Galerie Karlsruhe, April 2025

Exhibition "Update! Die Sammlung neu sichten – Szenenwechsel 2"

Our visit at the Galerie brought us to the presentation of the institution´s collection, which is happening in multiple instalments throughout several years. I personally find collection revisits rather exciting, when one can learn a lot about the institution´s history but also the new direction it might be taking. Hence, we had the chance to explore a diverse selection of artworks, some of which of historical relevance, some more representative of contemporary art discourse.

My daughter´s favourite piece, fitting to Spring, was Angela M. Flaig´s "Distelschale" (2014), a bowl-sculpture made of numerous thistle seeds, collected by the artist from the immediate surrounding of her home. Part of a series, titled "Flugsamen", Flaig collects and strictly separates dandelion, thistle and willow-herb seeds - plants, which are usually unwanted in our perfectly manicured gardens but infinite source of fun for youngsters - also my daughters´ currently. She has been taking the opportunity everywhere, where she sees a dandelion to blow it at us, so it was not a surprise that her interest was awaken by the sight of Flaig´s piece - something that in elements, she is familiar with, but seen in a completely different context, without the freedom of simply blowing it away. Concepts, perceptions and behaviours that she is untangling thanks to these exposures.

To my surprise, she wanted to return to Kubra Khademi´s painting series titled "Bread, Work, Freedom" (2024) quite a few times, wanting to understand while its acteurs are displayed nude, and what they are about to do when perhaps embarking on a ship. The series is representing well known female politicians with recognisable faces as Angela Merkel, Kamala Harris, Hilary Clinton, Jacinda Ardern or Sanna Marin. Based on an open letter to leading female politicians asking for their engagement and unity in proposing "a political project of governance formed and led by women" for Afghanistan, the series invites for complex political interpretation, however we still found our way of untangling some of the potential stories displayed.

Exhibition "gute aussichten - junge deutsche fotografie 2023/2024"

Except for a few videos and photographs, this exhibition did not catch my daughter´s attention that long, and that is absolutely fine as well. We also found ourselves offering interpretation and storytelling at more stations compared to our walk through the collection on the top floor, however, I am curious to see when and in which context some of her new observations will come up again. Her main excitement in this show was undoubtedly the Kid's Zone area, offering a reading and lounge area for children and a half closed off room in the heart of the exhibition space inviting them to play with magnets, draw on the wall and imitate photographers. Here she could have spent way more time than we had, since she felt encouraged in moving around and exploring by herself. Positioning the kids area in the heart of the exhibition is also telling of the institution´s policy: families, you are more than welcome!

The entire Museum´s set up has been very family friendly - an experience that I have not encountered often in modern and contemporary art environments. From the specifically children dedicated areas within the exhibition itself, through the family friendly bathroom setup, to the really welcoming tone of the colleagues working on site in various responsibilities, having a smile while looking at children entering the exhibition spaces, the Galerie obviously identifies families as one of their target audiences. This has been demonstrated through the Kid´s Zone area, a permanent element in the institution´s offers for children since 2024, where thematically relevant activities, books and audioworks invite the youngsters to explore and contribute. Since the institution is currently looking for its first mascot, we have been given voting cards as well to contribute with our ideas - something that my daughter found rather exciting. This dedication towards offering the art museum as an open space for families is also shown by the various programs, such as inviting parents with very small children (Känguru-Tour), as entire families (Mit Kindern Ansehen!) or the Sunday afternoon Workshop for Children (Kinderwerkstatt) allowing for hands on experience. We as a family felt really welcome from the moment on that we stepped into the Galerie, and this feeling carried through our entire visit, making it a uniquely memorable experience especially to us, as parents.

Back home, the following weeks gave us time to reflect on all the new impressions, and find our own way of interpreting what we have seen and experienced. This was the perfect time to revisit our beloved Katie books; to add some new books to our collection discussing museums, exhibitions and the experience of exhibition visits; and to bring out our inner artists through flower installations, paintings and some craft pearl motives.

Books:

• James Mayhew: "Katie and the Waterlily Pond"

• James Mayhew: "Katie and the Impressionists"

• James Mayhew: "Katie and the Sunflowers"

• Oliver Wenniges: "Mia im Museum"

• Joanne Liu: "My Museum"

• Susanna Mattiangeli, Vessela Nikolava: "Ein Museumstag"

• Doro Globus, Rose Blake: "Making a Great Exhibition"

• Emma Lewis: "Ein Museum nur für mich"

Tools:

• Melissa & Doug: Deluxe Easel for making paintings

• Mosaik and Pearl toys for creating images and working on fine motor skills

• A flower arrangement plug-in game to create flower sculptures

• DK: "My first Touch and Feel Picture Cards: Colors and Shapes"

• Katja Mensing: "Meine Welt" Fingerpaint book

• Coppenrath, Mini Künstler: "Schneiden lernen" Craft box

• Nastja Holtfreter: "Meine Erste Malschule" book for step-by-step learning to draw

• Joséphine Seblon: "Kunst? Kann ich!" craft book for young artists

• Jan-Frederik Bandel, Sascha Hommer: "Im Museum: Die Treppe zum Himmel"

Audio:

• (MYO): Ladybird Audio Adventures: "Artists"

• (MYO): Katie´s Adventures based on James Mayhew´s Katie Books