There was a complete string of immersive artwork experiences popping up in London over the previous couple of years, however when you’re searching for one thing a little bit completely different to attempt with tweens and teenagers, we set off to take a look at Moco Museum London with youngsters.
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Opened in summer time 2024, the brand new London flagship attraction is the most recent to affix places in Amsterdam and Barcelona, with works by large names from Banksy to Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin to call a couple of, in addition to a complete string of different modern artists.
So in case your youngsters love fashionable artwork – otherwise you’re hoping to get them – right here’s what we considered a go to to Moco Museum with youngsters.
Visiting Moco Museum London with youngsters
Over time, I’ve visited a complete string of artwork galleries with my daughter – some very conventional, full of previous masters and silence, others aiming to be extra interactive, extra family-friendly and extra fashionable.
As you would possibly count on, Moco Museum London undoubtedly falls extra into the trendy finish of the spectrum.
Strolling in with my 12-year-old, the primary view is of a light-filled gallery filled with quirky and vibrant items – all the time a great begin with youngsters.
Though you rapidly realise, as you look extra carefully on the Jeff Koons items by the door, that there’s greater than seems at first look.
Moco Museum says its aim is to convey folks nearer to the wonders of contemporary and modern artwork, and also you’re immediately whisked by means of one thing of a highlights reel of main names from the previous few many years.
With artworks set over three flooring, you’ll discover artists grouped collectively, so that you’ll discover some who share widespread types and themes, others whose work dates from related time intervals.
In case you’re not an aficionado (and I wouldn’t say I’m!), there’s info by every paintings giving extra info, together with in regards to the artist, their model, their background, generally on the particular piece itself.
At the same time as an grownup, it makes it very accessible when you’re not an professional, or when you come throughout an artist you don’t know effectively – reasonably than standing there questioning what you’re .
It additionally means it’s simpler to debate the works with youngsters, who’re much less prone to have come throughout all of the artists on show – on the bottom flooring my daughter knew Keith Haring from faculty classes and Yayoi Kusama from a current tile-painting workshop in Malta, for instance, in addition to Warhol and Picasso however there was lots which was new.
And lots that may get youngsters pondering, whether or not that’s Daniel Arsham’s crystal Porsche sculpture – imagined as a future relic, or Damien Hirst’s items impressed by every thing from drugs to butterflies.
Heading upstairs, the gathering focuses on extra modern artists, together with – considerably to my shock – works by Robbie Williams. Which then led to a different dialog the place I needed to clarify to my 12-year-old who Robbie Williams is (fame actually is fleeting).
Elsewhere, there have been works by Julian Opie and two Tracey Emin items created in gentle, whilst you can count on extra short-term exhibitions on this flooring too, so there’s all the time one thing new to find.
However a few the highlights, together with for my daughter, was the realm on Banksy, which gave her extra of an introduction than the few well-known items – like woman with a balloon – that she already knew.
Together with The Waterfall, one thing reasonably completely different from his higher identified guerrila artwork.
In case your youngsters are into avenue artwork and the overlap between graffiti and artwork, there are items to identify at Moco London too, together with a number of from KAWS, who began as a graffiti artist earlier than shifting on to sculpture and portray.
However my daughter’s fascination with Ok-Pop and all issues Korean and Japanese meant that the show of Takashi Murakami’s works was one other spotlight.
Brightly colored, with components drawn from manga and anime, it’s straightforward to see why this would possibly seize youngsters’ consideration. However there’s additionally an awesome description in regards to the ‘Superflat’ motion that he developed, blurring the traces between excessive and low artwork.
Good in case your youngsters want to be taught extra, or to enter extra element – however equally, it’s straightforward for youthful viewers to understand the model and vibrant shades too.
The ambiance is each actually and metaphorically darker down within the basement gallery, with items hitting tougher themes akin to displacement and youngster refugees, in addition to extra disturbing works.
There are a couple of extra difficult ideas – studying the part about NFTs, it wasn’t simply my daughter who was left a little bit bemused by that (and the vandal gummy bear).
However that is additionally the place you’ll uncover the few extra interactive components of Moco Museum London with youngsters – when you’re anticipating a extra immersive expertise, this isn’t the place to seek out it.
Nevertheless, you possibly can wander inside Pulse Interactive’s Gentle Sculpture room, the place mirrors, lights and colors change to create completely different shapes and results.
It’s mildly disorientating to stroll by means of however enjoyable to face in the course of, watching the lights shift round you.
One other favorite was the video set up from SixNFive, mixing geometric shapes and pure landscapes – a lot in order that we watched it by means of a number of instances.
There’s a lot element that you might simply keep longer right here – a square-edged leaf leaving rectangular ripples within the water, rectangles of birds flying by means of the sky, rectangular bark rising on the timber.
Then earlier than we knew it, we’d been there for round an hour and located ourselves within the closing room.
Daniel Arsham’s lunar backyard was unexpectedly peaceable, with its Japanese inspirations, however stripped of color within the moonlight – and making us surprise how a few of the results had been achieved.
That doesn’t even cowl every thing we noticed, a reminder of simply how assorted the artwork in Moco Museum London is – and the truth that if one artist or space doesn’t significantly attraction, one other could immediately seize your youngsters’ consideration.
And even when they don’t come out as fashionable artwork converts, it’s an awesome introduction. Shiny, uncommon, curious, quirky, with loads of relevance to fashionable life, this undoubtedly couldn’t be additional than the standard dusty artwork galleries of my very own childhood.
Moco Museum London overview: Have to know
In case you’re planning a go to to Moco Museum London with youngsters, right here’s every thing it’s good to know earlier than you get there.
The place is Moco Museum?
The museum is only a few minutes’ stroll from Marble Arch station. The doorway is on Marble Arch itself – the exit, or entrance to the shop is on Cumberland Place.
You’re then minutes from Hyde Park and Oxford Road if you wish to discover extra of London afterwards, whereas when you’re having a really art-filled day, Frameless is simply across the nook.
Moco Museum London guidelines
You’re inspired to take images whilst you’re visiting Moco Museum London, however you possibly can’t use flash so do guarantee that’s turned off, particularly whilst you’re visiting the darker basement flooring.
You can also’t absorb food and drinks, though there are free lockers on the entrance the place you possibly can retailer belongings (together with small baggage). You’re allowed to take small/medium baggage in, though backpacks will have to be worn in your entrance – I had no downside taking my shoulder bag in.
Massive baggage and suitcases aren’t allowed in and gained’t match within the lockers. You may go away them close by at your individual threat, or there’s baggage storage close by.
Try Stasher and Baggage Hero which have dozens of locations round London to retailer baggage securely whilst you discover
Strollers/buggies can’t be taken inside both and also you’ll must fold them to go away them within the lobby by the lockers, so when you’re planning to go to whereas your child/toddler naps, that gained’t be attainable.
No animals are allowed inside other than registered service canines, which must be pre-arranged.
What amenities are there at Moco Museum London
There are bogs obtainable within the basement space (together with 2 DDA bogs and a child change space).
There’s no cafe on website (and you may’t convey food and drinks into Moco Museum London itself). There’s additionally no cloakroom, though there are lockers for smaller gadgets on the entrance.
There’s a present store on the finish of the museum go to (or you can even entry that straight from Cumberland Place).
There are additionally some guides with QR codes to scan (though you’re requested to make use of earphones for any audio guides).
There are a couple of locations the place you possibly can sit down, though seating is restricted.
What age is Moco Museum appropriate for?
Any age is allowed into Moco Museum. In case you’re visiting with a child or toddler, you possibly can’t convey a stroller in, so that you’ll want an alternate child provider or to know that your toddler isn’t going to attempt to seize the artworks!
Youngsters aged below 5 don’t must pay for a ticket (although it’s good to prebook a free ticket for them).
Nevertheless, Moco Museum London is geared extra in the direction of older guests – personally I’d recommend tweens and teenagers reasonably than youthful youngsters, as a few of the paintings is difficult, disturbing or suggestive, whereas some items included swearing.
There are indicators giving some info, background and sometimes a short introduction to the assorted artists so it’s accessible for anybody trying to be taught extra about fashionable artwork and artists although.
As with many issues, it is dependent upon your youngsters: when you’ve acquired a nine-year-old who’s fascinated by fashionable artwork, and also you’re each comfortable to speak by means of the ideas concerned, there’s lots to seize youngsters’ pursuits.
In case you’re searching for one thing extra immersive or completely different from the standard gallery expertise, there are different options to assist get youngsters extra fascinated with artwork although.
Do youngsters want tickets?
Sure. Youngsters below the age of 5 enter totally free, however when you’re prebooking (which is really useful), you’ll want to decide on a free entry ticket for them.
Youngsters aged 5-17 get discounted entry however do must pay for tickets.
There are restricted numbers allowed for every entry slot, so whereas you should buy tickets on the day, prebooking tickets is really useful. Reserving on-line additionally will get a reduction of as much as 38% on grownup tickets, and allows you to skip the queue on entry (though after we visited throughout the Easter holidays, there was no wait to get in anyway).
How lengthy do you want for Moco Museum
You may keep so long as you need nevertheless it’s advised to permit between 60 and 90 minutes to discover all three flooring.
We spent round an hour inside, which felt like loads of time to learn the knowledge, watch movies and customarily respect the artworks with out both dawdling or speeding.
For extra uncommon London museums, take a look at what we considered Twist Museum with youngsters, in addition to extra of the greatest issues to do in London with youngsters
Disclosure: My entry was free for the needs of overview, however all opinions about visiting Moco Museum London with youngsters are my very own (and my daughter’s). This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Photographs copyright MummyTravels