August 27, 2015
Aubrey Nagle/for PhillyVoice
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts held a "Tiny Panel" complete with "tiny" panelists.
This summer, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts put together an exhibit celebrating artists who have the urge to keep things on the little side. "Tiny but Mighty" brought together pieces of PAFA's collection that were either small in stature or used tiny things (like dots or lines) to make something bigger.
As a special addition to the exhibit, PAFA asked some of its young summer camp students to give their thoughts on the artwork. Of course, the children were not shy about giving their opinions. From likes to loves, they spilled it all. Then, their thoughts were recorded and now act as an audio guide throughout the exhibit.
To cap off the project, some of the contributors joined a discussion panel (dubbed the "Tiny Panel," naturally) at PAFA Wednesday, Aug. 26. Five girls between the ages of 8 and 11 looked wise beyond their years and ready for discussion as they sat among the works in the Annenberg Gallery. They were asked about different art pieces, how they'd change the exhibit if they had the power and what they don't like about museums. Their answers were as adorable as they were insightful.
To begin the chat, the girls told the rapt audience (featuring quite a few proud parents) how they felt about joining the audio guide. Though it took a moment or two for the panelists to warm up to the crowd, they quickly got rolling.
"It's amazing because it kind of feels like you're a superstar on the microphone for the first time," said Aaliyah, 8.
"I think it's kind of interesting to know that people I don't know are listening to my voice and my friends' voices commenting on art," said Liz, 11. "It's just kind of weird ... but kind of cool."
For the audio guide, the girls were paired with other friends from the summer camp and asked to comment on certain works. They also got to choose some of pieces they wanted to chat about, either because they liked them or strongly did not.
Aaliyah, for one, was a big fan of Peter Dean's bright oil painting "Studio Portrait with Mask and Advisor."
"I liked it because it's interesting. It has lots of weird things going on: a bear that looks like it's coming out of a portal and a skeleton!"
Citing a very different work, a muted ink sketch by Mia Rosenthal called "Life on Earth," Liz was intrigued by its delicate nature.
"It was really detailed. It kind of surprised me how intricate it was. No one would ever be able to copy it," she said.
Despite finding that they generally disagreed about much of the art, the youngsters were quick to realize the importance of differing opinions. The mature discussion that followed should serve as a reminder to adults who don't always see eye-to-eye.
"I'm OK when people disagree because everyone has their own opinions and I have mine," said Emily, 11.
"Everyone has their own taste for things, so some people might like this thing that other people don't like at all," said Adalaide, 9. "I don't really care if they agree or disagree because I just like the art because, well, I like it."
Though different artworks caught each panelist's eye, there was one thing they all agreed on: They did not like the nude paintings. Maybe too young yet to appreciate the human form, the panelists were thoroughly unimpressed by the bodies on display.
"The people need to wear real clothes," Aaliyah said.
"I do agree with that. The people need to have clothes on," said Sammi, 11.
When asked how the nude artworks make them feel, Emily was quick to answer with a giggle, "A little bit uncomfortable."
If the gallery were filled with such pictures, "I'd be, like, scared to come in here," Aaliyah said. "I'd just forget about it and report that this place needs new paintings."
The girls had ideas for other improvements to the gallery as well. Adding colorful artwork to the columns throughout the space, for one, would liven it up, they said. They also suggested painting them or hanging art in the blank spaces to make it more colorful. But these discerning critics had one large bone to pick with PAFA: Like many museums, it was too quiet.
"I think that when you walk into a gallery, it kind of feels like a library because it's quiet, and you just feel like the paintings are putting a spell over you to make you quiet, and you're not allowed to talk without their permission," Adalaide said.
"I honestly don't like just being made to stand in front of a picture and not being able to say anything or say what I think about it," Liz said. "I really like being able to talk about it or just tell someone my opinion, if I like it, what I think should be different, if I do think that. I don't like just having to stare at it and keep it to myself."
"You should be able to throw your thoughts out, what you think. You shouldn't have to keep it in!" Aaliyah agreed.
"Maybe we could paint above the paintings or below the paintings that it's OK to talk?" Adalaide suggested as the girls nodded in agreement.
"I would have it where other people were talking and then it would make me feel comfortable talking," Emily said. "Because if I'm the only one talking that just feels weird."
Their earnest logic makes one wonder, why on earth are we all so quiet in museums? Are we afraid the artwork will be offended if we don't like it or that we'll say the wrong thing? Young children like the PAFA panelists had no such concerns. What they liked most about the gallery experience, after all, was the connection they felt with the art itself.
"I feel like some of them give me some sort of message to say that I like them," Adalaide said.
"She's right because it kind of is like a message. What other people like you might like it too ... It kind of is like a connection," Aaliyah said.
Of course, if given the power, each of the panelists had their own plans for the gallery. Whether they'd be curating a collection or creating their own, they were not short on ideas.
"I think mine would be nature and animals and then a different area of the gallery would be still lifes and patterns," Emily said.
"I'll just create what the paintbrush wants me to create," Adalaide said.
