Lasting image in the mind is better than a quick snapshot

Last month, I wrote about the World Press Photo Exhibition in Tokyo. I'd like to stay with the subject of photography, but the amateur kind. I was in a Beijing art gallery a few weeks ago when my attention was drawn to the visitors taking photos on their smartphones.

Nothing unique there. But the key difference is young Chinese art lovers prefer a more tactile experience with the exhibits. Sculptures are picked up, posed with, and photos taken. It's damn brave, I'd be too scared of breaking something and being left with a hefty bill. Selfies with paintings are the most popular. Young women often mimic the pose of the artist's muse or gesture beside the canvas.

They were having fun, but it interfered with my desire to inspect the exhibits. After 20 minutes I was starting to get annoyed so I moved to a quieter room. Predictably, I heard a crash from where I'd just left. I hope for their sake it wasn't too expensive an accident.