Studio Cats at the NGV

The Andy Warhol Ai Weiwei exhibition at Melbourne’s NGV is another example of why the NGV is a premier attraction for families in the city.  Perhaps not content with the family friendliness of the main Andy Warhol Ai Weiwei exhibition (which is by the way very family friendly) they have extended on the exhibition via Studio Cats – a free art installation for children that draws inspiration from the work of these two powerhouses of contemporary art.  Studio Cats incorporates physical play and technology to engage children in the art of Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei.   Forts were made out of Warhol inspired Brillo boxes, cat memes were created and we had fun creating our own Andy Warhol inspired portraits in Andy Warhol’s photo booth.

Studio Cats NGV

The main Andy Warhol Ai Wei Wei exhibition requires a purchased ticket, This is a very popular exhibition with long queues for ticket purchase so I suggest purchasing them online particularly if visiting with children.  My own kids were engaged by this exhibition, emphatically by Ai Weiwei’s balloon installations where gentle play was encouraged under the watchful eye of a gallery staff member.

Andy Warhol-Ai Weiwei NGV

My seven year old has been learning about Andy Warhol at school so enthused about the main exhibition and thrilled at encountering familiar pieces.

Andy Warhol-Ai Weiwei NGV

Andy Warhol’s pop art thematically appealed to the children due to the familiarity of the subject matter, Mickey Mouse, Micheal Jackson and Campbell’s soup included.

Andy Warhol-Ai Weiwei NGV

Ai Wei Wei’s bicycle installation at the entrance to the NGV is impressive however keeping little hands off what appeared to be the most amazing jungle gym was a little tricky.

Andy Warhol-Ai Weiwei NGV

Even my toddler was engaged by the vibrant colours used by the artists.  The highlight for her – a retro party room with sixties music blaring and footage from Warhol’s Factory.  My own party girl wanted to dance, and didn’t want to leave, prompting a major toddler meltdown.  Ultimately, the main drawback to attended the Andy Warhol Ai Wei Wei exhibition with young children is that it is primarily attended by adults and I was, at times made tense by the need to keep my kids contained amongst all the serious adult art folk.  In terms of inappropriate content – I did have to hastily move my kids on from imagery of people giving the finger to the camera.  Ai Wei Wei makes important statements about Chinese culture through his art and there was some challenging content.  At one stage footage was showing of the protest at Tiananmen Square on one screen while in a screen immediately beside it, the artist danced Gangham style.  Needless to say the kids didn’t give a second glance to the footage of a man facing down a tank – instead singing out “sexy lady” in a loud voice.  Reflection on the art from an adult perspective was, as usual when I have my kids in tow limited by the practicalities of managing them.

Andy Warhol-Ai Weiwei NGV

For those of us perhaps not as familiar with the artwork of the American and Chinese artists respectively as some, the NGV has created a children’s art book that introduces children to the lives and work of the two artists as well as incorporating activities for kids to engage in at home.  The NGV shop is overflowing with Warhol and Weiwei memorabilia at the moment.  It is worth picking up this book before you depart the NGV to stimulate your children’s learning at home as well.

In addition to all the Andy Warhol Ai Weiwei fun at the NGV the gallery is hosting their annual Kids Festival from January 16 to 26.

Both Studio Cats and the Andy Warhol Ai Wei Wei exhibition are open until April 24th.

Thanks to the NGV for hosting us during our visit and for gifting us the kids book commemorating the exhibition.

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