Manege will shortly be hosting the next event in its educational programme for children – Growing Up Art. This spring’s series of events are collectively entitled Neither Quite Mouse or Frog..., and focus on depictions of animals in visual art. The latest session is called Legs, Wings, and Tail, as this time the discussion will be on the depiction of the bird.

Whether real or imagined, animals have always appeared to people as heroes and gods, adversaries and helpers, imbuing a symbolism that can be complex and at times contradictory. The bird is a being with magical potential, inhabiting not the earth, but not quite the heavens either. It is a constant companion, both at special occasions and in day-to-day-life, with its wings symbolising all manner of things.

The meetings are led by Vladimir Korolkov, who will already be familiar to young visitors for his discussions on modern art. The third event will take place on Sunday 12 May and will look at how the bird has been depicted in art. It will begin at 12:00 and last for an hour and a half, including the interactive part.

The final event will take place on 19 May, and is called “searching for critters”. It will take a broad look at animal symbolism in works of art.