I went to the Copenhagen Sand Sculpture Festival exhibit today with the intent of taking a bunch of pictures to show some 3-5-year-old children back in the U.S. The exhibits starts with an enormous sandbox, which was filled with Danish children playing. Day care workers led groups of kids ages 3-7 around the place patiently explaining each sculpture. The sculptures looked a little off, though, not like the miniature village Christmas scenes I’d expected. The labels reminded me of the label affixed to the Cement Cuddler toys: “Unfortunate Child, do not mistake me for living thing, nor seek in me the warmth denied you by your parents. For beneath my plush surface lies a hardness as impervious and unforgiving as this World’s own indifference to your mortal struggle. Hold on to me when you are sad, and I will weigh you down, but bear this weight throughout your years, and it will strengthen your limbs and harden your will so that one day no man dare oppose you.”
Check the photos on Google+ to see the explanations of each sculpture that the teachers were reading and explaining to the kids.