Kids

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Piet Mondrian. Broadway Boogie Woogie. 1942–43 42

Oil on canvas, 50 x 50" (127 x 127 cm). Given anonymously

Narrator: There are so many ways to look at this picture. You could see it as lots of blue, red and yellow squares and rectangles on a white background. Or you could think of things it reminds you of.

Kid 1: To me it’s like the inside of a computer.

Kid 2: I think it’s a bunch of water pipes that go different ways.

Kid 1: Maybe a plan for a building, with elevators going up and down…

Elevator voice: Eighth floor: toys, games, and sporting goods—step to the rear, please!

Kid 2: Hey, how about city streets! See the traffic pattern?

Kid 1: Yeah, like you’re looking down at New York City from above! The red lights say, Stop, stop, stop!

Cabbie’s voice: Hey, bud! Get a move on!

Narrator: These colors, patterns and shapes might make you think of different things. In fact, when the artist Mondrian made this painting, he was thinking of his favorite music, boogie woogie jazz. And the lights of Broadway and Times Square, just blocks away from where you’re standing! He even called the painting Broadway Boogie Woogie! What would you call it?