But is it art?

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 19 July 2008 08:14:19

Logging on this morning I was greeted with the news that the Tate has unvieled its plans for a revamped building . I have to say that my immeadiate reaction was arrrgggghhhh they can't do that.

However, having read the plans, (sorry vision), I'm thinking this might just make sense. I think the bit that really got me was when they were talking about building in was is effectively an education centre. I was also impressed by the idea of introducing more public spaces into the community.

It is another example of a project that is intended to be ready for the Olympics in 2012, and so another example of how in the next five years the face of the city is likely to change.

What I hope for, though, is that whatever happens the character of the Tate Modern is not lost in the revamp. The reason I love the building is because you can wander about and just get lost. It is a space you can escape into and a gallery where it is ok to laugh. It's a space where pretension can be mocked or taken seriously depending upon your mood and artistic tastes. Having seen what they have done to the back roof terrace of the members area, (I pay my membership for the opportunity to sunbathe in that space on garden style furniture with a book and a drink, not picnic on cramped Ikea style nightmares), I am worried that they are moving into the realm of increased functionality.