Philosopher questions toddler safety at BALTIC exhibition featuring fragile artworks

Philosopher Tom Whyman recounts a recent visit to the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead with his two-year-old son, where they encountered The Vasseur BALTIC Artists’ Award 2022 showcase on the third floor. The exhibition features works by Fernando García-Dory, Laleh Khorramian, and Ima-Abasi Okon. Whyman describes García-Dory's installation as resembling a shop with pottery, jam jars, and honey arranged on fragile shelves—objects highly tempting to toddlers. His son attempted to interact with these breakable items and later tried to pull down Khorramian's tapestries before crawling under a cordon to reach Okon's sound installation controls. The incident lasted less than two minutes, prompting Whyman to question why such fragile works are displayed directly above a children's playroom. He suggests artists should consider the possibility of their work being damaged, especially in spaces frequented by young children. The exhibition runs until October. Whyman notes that many artworks end up in private collections or warehouses after exhibition, questioning their long-term purpose. He references Montaigne's 1580 essay on judging a life by its end, drawing parallels to art's potential destruction. The piece reflects on whether art's vulnerability to public interaction, including toddler interference, could serve a democratic function.