| Tate Modern A New London Landmark |
| Summer 2000, London has benefited from millennium
fever like no other place on earth. Although it seems that the enthusiasm
for the Millennium Dome is waning (amid financial problems), the
Tate Modern has been an overnight success. Now the largest modern
art museum in the world, the Tate Modern houses the excess Tate
collection of modern art. It's existence, coinciding with the continuing
boom in British Art, takes advantage of the growing popularity of
museums with the public this phenomenon has created. Taking the
large collection from the existing Tate at Millbank and adding a
new remit where new cutting edge shows share the space. This new
addition to London's formidable collection of museums successfully
bridges the gap between modern and the contemporary. |
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| The tendency to show modern art in historical
sequence has been dispensed with and although this may seem awkward
in places it works generally. At first that this may be confusing
but the thematic arrangements have a way of surprising the viewer
at each turn keeping up interest. Work falls under main topics such
as Landscape/Matter/Environment and History/Memory/Society. That
covers a lot. In some cases this has an educational feel, comparing
Duchamp and Picabia for instance. These groupings get round the
usual constraints and point to some of the fundamental connections
between seemingly diverse art forms and periods. This sets up a
stream of connections that breaks down the normal or purely academic
approach to classification and viewing and creates a new element
of cross referencing. An overview of the century is created but
one where artwork is viewed out of it's original context. Minimalist
sculpture next to Monet? Sometimes this is a stretch but in most
cases it is very satisfying.
As one descends the entry ramp leading
down into the vast space of the turbine hall one feels the social
nature of the place. Looking up in awe at the gigantic Louise
Bourgeoise spider sculpture, this is a place to visit again and
again. Made more accessible by the Millennium bridge (for pedestrians
and unfortunately having teething problems) leading to St Pauls
on the opposite side of the river, the museum invites visitors
to hang out, eat, drink and see art. This populist approach is
not only good for London but is the perfect way to bring art to
more people without losing a cutting edge like so many of the
bland mega-shows of the 90's.
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Opened to the public in May this year, the Tate
Modern has not only helped complete London's transformation to world
class art capital but has rejuvenated a whole section of London
in the process. This area on the south bank of the Thames now reaches
from the National Theatre to Southark connecting Theatres, Gabriels
Wharf, the Tate Modern at Bankside, the new Globe Theatre and Southark
Cathedral all along the Thames path. The view of St Pauls (brilliant
from the cafe in the museum) has been enhanced by the removal of
several office block "carbuncles" (Prince Charles term) built in
the 60's. About time too. Wren's cathedral can now breathe. Culturally
the city has never been more vibrant. London is doing something
right.
- James Rosenthal |
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