Tuesday 30 November 2010

It's a bit of old concrete asking for it

Kids see something designated as 'art'.


In the absence of any other interesting play area outside the History Museum, kids bring 'art' into their world, on their terms.


I really wanted to photograph the security guard who looked like she hadn't smiled since 1972 and who knitted her brows and huffed and puffed and flapped her lips while making a big cross sign with her forearms.

China, what you should take from this, is that you actually need more interesting playgrounds for kids of all ages, and fewer great chunks of worthy public art.

To help you along, I'm almost inclined to start an underground movement of guerrilla play, whereby we bring kids aged 5-15 to your China concretes, and muck about all over them.