Kids, Art, and Photographs

Today we took the boys to the Flint Institute of Art.  They have a small Picasso exhibit and a 3D exhibit I wanted to see what they had.  I also wanted to the boys to see some art.  I'm hoping they will develop a love for art.  But this post is only partly about my sons and art.  It's mostly about taking photos in the museum.  You see, the FIA asks visitors to sign a release saying we won't post pictures on websites or use them for other, well, uses.  I didn't want to discuss the fine print of what might be acceptable or not for this blog, so I was a bit gun-shy with the camera.  I did get this nifty sticker so I wouldn't be arrested or something if I did take pictures. 

I wonder what the FIA would have done if I wanted to sketch a Picasso sketch?  Drawing and painting of art is a long tradition among artists.  Of course the copied paintings may be in the public domain.  Why not photos?  Also, I don't want to get into a political screed on the problems with copyright laws in the US and how they are designed to prop up corporations like Disney.   That's a topic for a different post.  Here is a little information on derivative works of art and copyright. I suspect that if I wanted to post a picture of my boys in the museum with art in the background it would be okay.  Of course I would have to obtain permission.  I hate asking for permission.  So all you get is a picture of my sticker. 

Are you wondering about the boys and the art?  They weren't impressed.  The did like the ramps and our littlest just liked being able to run.  The highlight of our trip was running in the grass between the FIA and the Planetarium in 29 degree weather. 

I hope I don't get in trouble for posting this picture.