Des Moines Art Festival not safe for children? While we were leaving the Des Moines Art Festival, on it's last day, A Mr. Dennis J Heimbach Sculpture Designer, Maliciously Approached two small children, age 5 and 8, in rage. Ranting about how he was going to "break their Arm off" along with a stream of verbal Obscenities, that would make a sailor blush, if they did not "get away from there". This was due to him seeing a child touch and turn one of his Art Pisces on it's pivot, or turntable stand. Something that Adults & children had been doing all day, as they passed by his large outdoor, public, colorful, shapes.
Mr. Dennis J Heimbach's Sculptures were not only located next to the children's Art Activities and Arts in motion (where children are taught and encouraged to touch, create, learn Art), but were also in bright colors and shapes attractive to inquisitive children. They were unprotected in the rain, outside with no protective fencing or noticeably visible signs (not to touch). Like turntable metal pieces you sometimes see at a playground.
The children had been asked to pose for a last photo while exiting, at the end of festival by an adult. They were smiling laughing and enjoying the day. One of them, after the photo, while being called to leave, was investigating one of the pieces, touching it, and turned it while looking at it. As this was not one of the many adult booths, where they were told not to touch anything, on the other side of the street, there seemed no harm.
No one expected Mr. Dennis J Heimbach to be so verbally violent. Even to walk away and return, continuing his ranting, after the children had stopped and one was in tears. While an artist passion over his work is understandable - does that give him a right to BODILY THREATEN a CHILD?
It is easy to understand, after witnessing so many touching & turning these pieces during the day, how a parent might think it's ok to let the children play among them. Please see photo. Especially considering the placement and type of show it was. This same park and area has other art pieces that stay there year round. Which children can be seen playing or sitting close by too.
Not to excuse the artist or the parent, but, maybe next year the committee presiding over the festival could screen the vendors somehow (though costly I'm sure-maybe place it in their charges). As this is a family event and it is the desire by them, for the children to have a safe, positive learning experience.
Again it may mean extra cost, however, if the outdoor, unattended sculptures are not meant to be closely examined &/or touched, maybe a low boarder fence would differanciate it from being something so encouragingly approachable and accessible to small hands. Especially if it is to continue being placed next to the childrens "hand's on area".
As to the vendor involved. It is my opinion that his mannerisms had no place at a family event. The mental ramifications of his actions could have a devastating impact to a small child. A larger adult rushing from across the street in anger at little ones, can be more than scary to them enough. Let alone being told that he's going to "break your arm" after being told for hours to touch, enjoy art and create your own.
Pending an adult anger management class, I would not allow him into another family event. But that is just my opinion.
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