Kaleidoscope: Art and Colour

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Posted 2011-10-22 by Melody Clifford ⇒ follow

Sat 28 May 2011 - Sun 05 Feb 2012

On the ground floor of the National Gallery of Victoria International , there is a special place, just for the young. It's called the NGV Kids Space and until February 2012 it houses the 'Kaleidoscope: art and colour' exhibition.

For 'Kaleidoscope', the rooms in the Kids Space have been boldly painted and cushioned alcoves have been built into the walls. There are display cabinets filled with treasures from the NGV collection and fun games, all to do with developing children's understanding of the world of colour, pattern, texture and shape around them.

Upon entry, children are given a small, cardboard, cut-out panel to help them on their adventure of finding matching colours among the art. There's a tactile table so that little fingers have the opportunity to examine different art mediums like acrylic, oil, polymer and glass. Other games, like sorting stuffed fruit into colour order, or those available on the touch panel screens will easily occupy children aged 2-12, for over an hour.

The highlight of 'Kaleidoscope', is the giant optical projection where kids can select the colours, pattern, speed and shape of a moving kaleidoscope via a large, hands-on, control panel. They watch their creations come to life on an enormous screen in front of them and are able to share their work with an audience. Another favourite is the light floor, where as children walk across a particular piece of carpet, projected spots of colour follow them, leaving a trail of light in their wake.

Just as in the main Art Gallery, the Kids Space has an area dedicated to touring exhibitions so, at the time this article was written, it hosted examples of pattern, block, puzzles and tessellations to mirror what was being shown in the 'Vienna: Art and Design' series.

Other art pieces in the Kids Space include those made from glass and glazed pottery. There are costume samples and bright acrylic canvases and dotted around the rooms, little information plaques and 'did you know?' labels to teach youngsters how art is made.

Entry to the ' Kaleidoscope: art and colour ' exhibition is free. It is open everyday from 10am - 5pm but it's worth noting that on Tuesdays, other parts of the main gallery are closed. If you get hungry while visiting, the gallery kitchen sells children's lunch packs. These can be taken to picnic beneath the multi-coloured ceiling of the Grand Hall or to the Sculpture Garden outside.