When Inspiration IS a Tired Child

Not every idea begins in a moment of inspiration. Some begin in the middle of a family holiday, somewhere between sighs, snacks and a slight overdose of culture.

This summer in Berlin, I decided it was time to show my ten-year-old daughter one of my favourite places: the Neue Nationalgalerie, home to 20th- and 21st-century art. It was raining — one of those steady, grey Berlin showers — but the air was still heavy and warm, the kind of weather that makes the whole city feel both drenched and overheated. I was still excited: finally, a chance to share the beauty of modernism, its light and space, and the kind of art that has always moved me. She, however, was… less enthusiastic.

Halfway through the exhibitions she was already exhausted — too warm, overstimulated and only mildly interested in the stories I was trying to tell. We made it through the galleries, of course, but it certainly didn’t end up on her list of favourite holiday moments. And honestly, who could blame her? Berlin in July can be overwhelming, even in the rain.

The moment stayed with me. On the U-Bahn ride back, I kept thinking about how easily curiosity can turn into fatigue — and how quickly something fascinating can feel distant if the story isn’t accessible.

That evening after dinner, when my daughter was getting ready for bed, I picked up my phone and opened ChatGPT. Out of curiosity, I entered a few objects from the Neues Museum — our plan for the next day — and asked for a story written just for her. A small mystery featuring a curious girl exploring the museum in her dreams.

Later, before she fell asleep, we read the story together. As she listened, her whole expression shifted — the tiredness replaced by engagement and curiosity. She began asking questions and making connections. The museum had suddenly turned into a story world she could step into. That was the moment when Saganauts truly began to take shape: a bridge between museums and a child’s imagination. Not a tool for teaching or explaining, but a way of inviting children into narratives that make culture feel alive, personal and approachable.

Sometimes ideas don’t come from success, but from the small moments that make you wonder whether there might be another way.