Looking for Culture

Sydney and I went to the Museum of Contemporary Art on Sunday because they have an exhibit of Antonin Gaudi's work. My favorite experience in Barcelona was walking around the city, looking at Gaudi's buildings so I was very excited to go to MOCA. I was extremely disappointed. They only had 6 pieces of Gaudi's work (all wooden chairs) and a movie showing pictures of the various Gaudi buildings in Barcelona. That was actually enjoyable because it brought back good memories of a fun trip.

My colleague here tells me that I won't be able to find a more extensive collection of European art here because the Chinese government expects the European museums to pay for all costs of having the exhibit in China, including insurance coverage for the works of art while in China. The Chinese goverment's view is that it is a privilege to show the art in China, and as such, the foreign museums should cover all costs. Apparently, the foreign museums have a contrary view.

The MOCA is tucked inside a pretty park, but unfortunately it rained on Sunday so we were not able to play in the park. So we walked next door and hung out at a Starbuck's instead, and met a nice Chinese couple who just returned to Shanghai after living in the UK for 3 years. She works for KPMG and he works for EDS. They both hope to be able to transfer to the US to work for a couple of years. While the adults were chatting, Sydney busied herself by hamming it up for all the patrons in Starbuck's, including wiping their tables for them. Alas, no one tipped her.

We finished the day at Gymboree. Sydney doesn't really participate in the organized activities. She usually does her own thing, which is fine with me. The motor skills that they are trying to develop Sydney (and most of the kids in class) have already mastered, thanks to the playground in our complex. The real value to the class is that she has an indoor playground catered to her age group. The indoor playground in our complex is too advanced for her, other than the pool of balls. I also worry about her being knocked around by the older kids in there. And the class is at 5pm so it wears her out right before bedtime. For that alone, it is worth the money.