Security Guards at the National Gallery of Art

[Anonymous]

The great thing about art museums is that you can get close enough to touch incredibly valuable works of art. One of my favorite paintings is the large Jackson Pollock in the East Wing. It would certainly fetch north of $10 million at auction and I can walk right up and stand within about a foot of it.

But we can only have that privilege if nobody actually does touch the art. There are no exceptions for toddlers or for people who aren't paying attention to where they are walking, or for people with mental problems or anyone else. Even if your kid is well trained, not every kid is, and as readers of DCUM it should come as no surprise that parents feel entitled when it comes to their kids. They're just kids, after all.

So on balance, I'd rather have people be yelled at occasionally (and I have been -- for many minor transgressions) than have to view the art set four feet back in the wall behind thick plexiglass (like the Mona Lisa), because someone was allowed to get too close who shouldn't have been.

Think about it: next time you go you will be even more careful to make sure your kids don't do something that the guards won't like. Frankly, that's better for all of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The great thing about art museums is that you can get close enough to touch incredibly valuable works of art. One of my favorite paintings is the large Jackson Pollock in the East Wing. It would certainly fetch north of $10 million at auction and I can walk right up and stand within about a foot of it.

But we can only have that privilege if nobody actually does touch the art. There are no exceptions for toddlers or for people who aren't paying attention to where they are walking, or for people with mental problems or anyone else. Even if your kid is well trained, not every kid is, and as readers of DCUM it should come as no surprise that parents feel entitled when it comes to their kids. They're just kids, after all.

So on balance, I'd rather have people be yelled at occasionally (and I have been -- for many minor transgressions) than have to view the art set four feet back in the wall behind thick plexiglass (like the Mona Lisa), because someone was allowed to get too close who shouldn't have been.

Think about it: next time you go you will be even more careful to make sure your kids don't do something that the guards won't like. Frankly, that's better for all of us.

This is OP again. As I explained my child is only 3 years old. He couldn't even REACH the art work in question even if he tried. It was way above his head. Also, I was more upset that having made my child cry the guard wouldn't even give me a single minute to calm him down before barking at me to take him outside. My son cried, not particularly loudly, for about 30 seconds until I could comfort him at which time he was quiet. He was not disrupting anyone and I would have voluntarily taken him out if he was. It was completely uncalled for on both counts.

[Anonymous]

I went there with my newborn last fall and the fucking guard made me empty out my stroller and diaper bag like I was fucking hiding something in there. Then had the nerve to tell me the stroller entrance was on the other side of the building and I should come in through there next time. Well let me tell u something Mr security I just had a fucking c section and i am tired and in pain and trying to entertain my mother who is visiting from califormia. The only reason I am coming inside is to sit on a warm bench instead of in the cold while waiting for my mom who is do enthralled by the museum. I will not walk another 700 plus ft to the opposite entrance when there is a perfectly functional entrance here.

[Anonymous]

Yikes. What kind of brain dead slave would read these stories and still go? What a terrible example for your kids.

You scream at my kid for doing nothing but breathing, then we will be having a screaming match. I don't play that.

[Anonymous]

The great thing about art museums is that you can get close enough to touch incredibly valuable works of art. One of my favorite paintings is the large Jackson Pollock in the East Wing. It would certainly fetch north of $10 million at auction and I can walk right up and stand within about a foot of it.

1 foot... If I were so lucky. I crossed some imaginary 3 ft line and provided with a loud "STEP AWAY FROM THE PAINTING!" with a hand held up just in front of me. I try really hard to do the art appreciation thing for my wife, and just when I can "get it"... this kind of thing just turns the switch off.

They also rush you out of the galleries EXACTLY as the warning bell rings. Not even time for my father to plant his 78 year old feet to turn around before they admonished him that he must leave...geesh they could have least given him 20 seconds to turn around, it is a little hard with his infirmities.

Art may be great! ! Art galleries suck I would rather go to a landscape garden or arboretum, sooo much more low key.

[Anonymous]

Interesting, the guards have nothing but charming to us and our kids.

[Anonymous]

I've lived in DC for almost 30 years, been to almost every museum w/ my kids and before. I won't set foot in that one.

Plenty of other art museums to see I don't need some board want-to-be cop yelling at people.

If people complain and don't go - they will change. Keep visiting and you get what you "pay for"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The great thing about art museums is that you can get close enough to touch incredibly valuable works of art. One of my favorite paintings is the large Jackson Pollock in the East Wing. It would certainly fetch north of $10 million at auction and I can walk right up and stand within about a foot of it.

1 foot... If I were so lucky. I crossed some imaginary 3 ft line and provided with a loud "STEP AWAY FROM THE PAINTING!" with a hand held up just in front of me. I try really hard to do the art appreciation thing for my wife, and just when I can "get it"... this kind of thing just turns the switch off.

They also rush you out of the galleries EXACTLY as the warning bell rings. Not even time for my father to plant his 78 year old feet to turn around before they admonished him that he must leave...geesh they could have least given him 20 seconds to turn around, it is a little hard with his infirmities.

Art may be great! ! Art galleries suck I would rather go to a landscape garden or arboretum, sooo much more low key.

You seem to be quite a fan of iconography. As a salute to you, I offer this:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've lived in DC for almost 30 years, been to almost every museum w/ my kids and before. I won't set foot in that one.

Plenty of other art museums to see I don't need some board want-to-be cop yelling at people.

If people complain and don't go - they will change. Keep visiting and you get what you "pay for"

Please. You're ridiculous. Not go to the NGA because of the guards? I'm not going to deprive myself of the opportunity to view some amazing art because of an anticipated run in with a guard, which BTW I've never had. They've been quite pleasant in my experience. The people I've seen warned (tactfully and quietly) have deserved it by their out of line behavior. And BTW, NGA has free admission. There's nothing to "pay for."

[Anonymous]

I went there with my newborn last fall and the fucking guard made me empty out my stroller and diaper bag like I was fucking hiding something in there.

I don't understand complaining about this. Bags need to be searched in public places, that is just a fact of life in today's world. You're really not used to this by now?

And your mom should have gone by herself. She kind of sucks if she made you come with her right after a c-section.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:See this thread, for example.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/174840.page#1638435

Wow! I was the OP of that thread, forgot all about it.

Looks like someone revived it too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've lived in DC for almost 30 years, been to almost every museum w/ my kids and before. I won't set foot in that one.

Plenty of other art museums to see I don't need some board want-to-be cop yelling at people.

If people complain and don't go - they will change. Keep visiting and you get what you "pay for"

Please. You're ridiculous. Not go to the NGA because of the guards? I'm not going to deprive myself of the opportunity to view some amazing art because of an anticipated run in with a guard, which BTW I've never had. They've been quite pleasant in my experience. The people I've seen warned (tactfully and quietly) have deserved it by their out of line behavior. And BTW, NGA has free admission. There's nothing to "pay for."

That's what the sarcastic quotes were for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The great thing about art museums is that you can get close enough to touch incredibly valuable works of art. One of my favorite paintings is the large Jackson Pollock in the East Wing. It would certainly fetch north of $10 million at auction and I can walk right up and stand within about a foot of it.

1 foot... If I were so lucky. I crossed some imaginary 3 ft line and provided with a loud "STEP AWAY FROM THE PAINTING!" with a hand held up just in front of me. I try really hard to do the art appreciation thing for my wife, and just when I can "get it"... this kind of thing just turns the switch off.

They also rush you out of the galleries EXACTLY as the warning bell rings. Not even time for my father to plant his 78 year old feet to turn around before they admonished him that he must leave...geesh they could have least given him 20 seconds to turn around, it is a little hard with his infirmities.

Art may be great! ! Art galleries suck I would rather go to a landscape garden or arboretum, sooo much more low key.

You seem to be quite a fan of iconography. As a salute to you, I offer this:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting, the guards have nothing but charming to us and our kids.

OP here, until the two incidents I described I would have said the same thing. In fact, on the second visit the guards at the checkpoint as you come in were helpful and playful with my kids. And then not twenty minutes later my happy three year old who was doing nothing but very cheerfully show interest in the artwork was reduced to tears by another guard. I guess you've just been lucky.

[Anonymous]

Why do so many of you think security checks, ect., fo not apply to ypi? Tjete are reasons why there is an entrance for strollers as a bomb could easily have been hidden in one. Priceless works of art have to be protected and the guards are doing their jobs. You don't like it, stsy home.