The "Children's Art Museum," commonly known as "Chilmu," is an annual summer art festival held by the Ohara Museum of Art every August.
Various programs are conducted to make art more accessible for children.
It is an art event that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
I participated in Chilmu with "Okoyama Singing Child Suzuchan," a third grader who visited the museum for the first time. 岡山歌っ子すずちゃん
Photography is usually prohibited inside the Ohara Museum of Art. This time, we have received special permission to take photos.
About the Children's Art Museum (Chilmu)
What is the Children's Art Museum (Chilmu)?
The "Children's Art Museum" is a summer art festival held by the Ohara Museum of Art. It is abbreviated as "Chilmu."
Since 2002, it has been held every August, and in 2019 it marked its 18th edition.
It offers a fun-filled experience that makes it easy to enjoy the world of art!
Not only the staff of the Ohara Museum of Art but also museum studies interns, volunteer staff, and high school and university student volunteers participate in this major event.
With many people involved and active, it allows for a more engaging experience with art, making the museum a creative and experimental space.
In 2019, it was held from August 24 (Saturday) to August 25 (Sunday).
In 2019, the following facilities also provided special cooperation.
The Bikan Historical Area was bustling with activity.
Participation Fees for the Children's Art Museum (Chilmu)
| Category | Fee (including tax) |
|---|---|
| Elementary and junior high school students in Kurashiki City | Free |
| Elementary and junior high school students | 250 yen |
| High school students | 500 yen |
| University students | 800 yen |
| Adults | 1,300 yen |
Elementary and junior high school students can enter the museum for half price, at 250 yen. On the day of the event, elementary and junior high school students in Kurashiki City can enter for free by presenting the "Ikiki Passport" distributed at their schools!
Participants of Chilmu will receive a wristband.
By showing the wristband, participants can re-enter the main building, annex, and craft and Oriental galleries on the same day.
Chilmu 2019 Programs
In 2019, the following programs were held.
| Program Name | Location | Participation Fee (including tax) |
|---|---|---|
| My Ohara Collection | Main Hall Atrium | 300 yen |
| I Be Museum | Main Hall Atrium | Free |
| Art Door Exploration Team | Main Hall 2nd Floor | Free |
| Interactive Artwork Viewing Tour | Main Hall Room 1 | Free |
| Finding Pictures with 5-7-5 | Main Hall Room 2 | Free |
| Light Magic ~Shining Egg~ | Main Hall Room 6 | Free |
| Gather Around! Everyone's Lucky Color | Main Hall Room 7 | Free |
| Let's Draw Together! Monet's Water Lilies | Crafts and Eastern Pavilion Courtyard | Free |
| SUKI♡SUMI! | Crafts and Eastern Pavilion Courtyard | 200 yen |
| Eastern Pavilion Coloring | Eastern Pavilion Exit | Free |
| Feel Art with Your Body ♥ | Eastern Pavilion Exit | 200 yen |
| Dance Workshop Let's Play with Outdoor Sculptures! | In front of the Annex on the Lawn | Free |
| Story Creation | Annex Room 1 | Free |
| Uchiwa DE Art | Annex Room 3 | 100 yen |
| Ohara Museum of Art SNS Popular Vote 2019 | Main Hall Exit | Free |
| Public Research Meeting "Chilmyu Observation Tour" | In front of the Main Hall | Free |
| Museum Pilgrimage | In front of the Main Hall | Free |
| Bronze Mirror Making | Kurashiki Archaeological Museum | 1,000 yen |
| Dokidoki Pottery Stamp Bag | Kurashiki Archaeological Museum | 200 yen |
Let's Go to Ohara Museum of Art!
We went to Ohara Museum of Art as soon as it opened on the first day.
Suzuchan was very curious about the artworks in the museum, asking, "How do you read this title?" and "Why is it called 'Hair'?"
We toured the venue while participating in several programs. Here are the programs we joined.
I Be Museum
We wrote our future dreams on colored paper and decorated the ivy covering the stone wall of Ohara Museum of Art.
The colorful decorations on the museum's outer wall attracted the attention of passersby.
Interactive Artwork Viewing Tour
Staff and children view the artworks at Ohara Museum of Art while engaging in dialogue.
For example, the sculpture "Torso of Île-de-France" by Maillol.
- What does it look like?
- Why do you think it's a female human?
- What kind of shape is it?
- Is it a young person?
- What do you think the legs look like?
- What kind of pose do you think the hands are in?
- What direction is the face facing?
- What kind of expression do you think it has?
- What do you think it is doing?
- Let's try to pose like we think it might be!
- How did that make you feel?
Children respond to questions like the ones above, sharing their feelings and thoughts.
"The hands are a bit behind."
"I think it's a serious face."
"Maybe it's trying to run."
By engaging in dialogue, we were able to look more deeply at the artwork than just by viewing it. It's interesting to compare how others felt about it.
We are thinking about what kind of scene it is while posing like the sculpture. Is it sad? Is it fun? Is it troubled?
Finding Pictures with 5-7-5
On the paper we received, there were five haikus written about a certain artwork. It was a game to find out which artwork they were referring to.
What could it be depicting? We walked around the room while looking at the artworks.
After checking the answers, we chose one artwork we liked and thought of our own 5-7-5.
As her favorite work, Suzuchan chose Picasso's "Still Life with Skull," and in no time, she completed a haiku! It seems she had fun, as she chose another piece and composed another haiku.
After that, she continued to look at other works, gazing at what was depicted and voluntarily composing haikus in the 5-7-5 format.
Gather Around! Everyone's Lucky Color
After drawing lots, everyone will stick the lucky color stickers they received and create a piece of art together.
At the time of the photo, the event had just begun. I wonder what kind of artwork will be created by the end of the Children's Art Museum.
Taking a Break in Shinkei-en Garden
In the grounds of the Ohara Museum of Art, Shinkei-en Garden was lush with greenery.
There are benches, making it perfect for a short break. Let's take a moment to watch the koi.
Ohara Museum of Art SNS Popular Vote 2019
If you post your favorite work on social media, you will receive an original badge.
On the wall, there is a large fabric printed with representative works of the Ohara Museum of Art.
Normally, photography is not allowed inside the museum. It's nice to be able to take pictures with the artworks.
Creating Stories
Next, we head to the Ohara Museum of Art Annex.
![[Closed] Ohara Museum of Art Annex - A museum that supports challenges to creativity and walks with the present](https://media.kuratoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/23060108/190215-101r-3.jpg)
View the artworks and freely create stories.
The completed stories are displayed, and it's interesting to see how completely different narratives can emerge from the same painting depending on the viewer!
For example, here are some stories that were created.
| Author/Title | What kind of painting | Story created by participants |
|---|---|---|
| Koiide Narashige “Nude Woman on a Chinese Bed (Nude Woman A)” | A painting of a nude woman lying down | A woman toyed with by men. She laments, "Everything is a hassle now." |
| Maeda Kanji “Two Workers” | A painting of two men looking towards us | Friends who met at a place of work gather at their usual spot. However, one says, "This might be the last time." |
| A magician and a novelist. Inspired by watching “Ossan's Love,” they come to a job placement office, dreaming of a corporate job. |
Suzuchan created a story about a "strong man" after viewing Kotaro Takamura's sculpture “Arm.”
Uchiwa DE Art
Using paper printed with artworks, we create collages to make uchiwa (Japanese fans).
Suzuchan cut out a large depiction of a man from Hodler's “The Woodcutter.” I was wondering what she would do, and then she boldly arranged it using both sides of the uchiwa.
A cool uchiwa was completed, showcasing the power of the painting!
The staff mentioned, "The children look so happy when their works are completed. It's enjoyable to see their faces."
To Kurashiki Archaeological Museum
Next, we visit the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum, which conducts research and surveys in the Kibi region, rich in ruins.
Doki Doki Pottery Stamp Bag
We will create original bags by stamping pottery and burial mound designs.
The original eraser stamps handmade by the staff at Kurashiki Archaeological Museum are cute!
I was carefully taught tips on how to stamp beautifully, and a colorful masterpiece bag was completed.
Looking around, there were people who had created chic bags in a single color, and others who had made gradient designs, resulting in a variety of unique bags.
It seems like you can feel history up close.
Impressions
The Children's Art Museum (Chilmu) has many fun programs.
Although I rushed through, even with about three hours of interview time, I couldn't visit all the places I wanted to, and it seems that Suzuchan participated in a workshop after the interview. You can enjoy a full day here.
Children were lined up in front of the museum, unable to wait, and the venue was filled with cheerful smiles, which was impressive.
The guides at Chilmu are written in simple language so that children can easily read them, allowing them to dive into the world of art on their own.
Even those who usually think, "Museums are too formal," or "I want to go, but I don't know how to enjoy it with my children," can enjoy it casually.
Of course, Suzuchan was having fun, and her mother was also moved.
The author, who loves museums, was also able to face art with a fresh feeling and was very satisfied!
It was a wonderful event that gathered the thoughts of Ohara Museum of Art, wishing for everyone to become familiar with art.
Finally, let me share a phrase that the staff member from the "Five-Seven-Five Picture Search Game" mentioned.
"There is no correct way to feel art. If the viewer thinks so, then that's good enough."
Whether you are a child or an adult, whether you love art or not, this summer festival is enjoyable for a wide range of people. Please consider participating in the next Chilmu.
Articles about Ohara Museum of Art
Ohara Museum of Art Children's Art Museum 2019 Data
| Name | Ohara Museum of Art Children's Art Museum 2019 |
|---|---|
| Date | August 24, 2019 (Saturday) to August 25, 2019 (Sunday) 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM) *Opening hours may vary depending on the program |
| Location | 1-1-15 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Admission Fee (including tax) | Adults: 1,500 yen High school students: 500 yen Junior high and elementary school students: 250 yen (Free for junior high and elementary school students in Kurashiki City with "Ikigai Passport") |
| Website | Children's Art Museum 2019 |
Model: Suzuchan (Twitter)