Monday 29 April 2013

Tate Modern

This is the Tate Modern art gallery on the South Bank of the Thames, London. It was once the Bankside power station but is now (according to wikipedia) the most visited art gallery in the world with an average of 4.7million visitors a year (this could possibly be because our national art galleries have free admission). It closed as a power station in 1989 and reopened as a gallery in 2000.


The advantage it has over conventional art galleries is the size of its biggest exhibition area - the turbine hall which is 5 storeys high. This usually displays large specially commissioned work by contemporary artists. Yesterday when I visited there was quite a different kind of display.


This was part of Hyperlink, a 3 day festival of art, music and fashion, exploring the idea of '6 degrees of separation'. In the Hall was Sail Away which was featuring hundreds of small boats made from paper money, maps and tickets. There was a workshop where you could make your own boat and then add it to the exhibition. I was just sorry I didn't have enough time to stay and take part. It looked like fun.






Sharing with OurWorld Tuesday.


 

29 comments:

  1. Such interesting history to that wonderful building. It would have been great fun to add a creation of your own to the exhibit. What a fun concept for the exhibition.

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  2. Hooray that your art museums are free! Art should be for everyone!

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  3. I went to see 'The Crack' when it was there and was astonished by how fascinating I found it. I would have liked to visit this exhibition / event too. It looks fun.

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  4. Nice to hear of a building put to such good use. I absolutely love the idea of everyone having a chance to participate in this creative project. And interesting how the six degrees of separation theory can certainly be expanded when thinking of the universe online.

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  5. Seem to remember passing that on a trip along the Thames. The art as they call it there is not to my taste.

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  6. Wow, what an amazing exhibit. The little boats are so cute. It is neat the people are walking around the boats on the floor. Wonderful shots, have a happy day!

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  7. That does look like fun. Fantastic exhibit.

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  8. What an interesting exhibition .... as the name says Modern !! We have "Turner from the Tate" on display here at the moment but of course it's a bit more conventional.

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  9. A fascinating place and the sail away exhibition looks fun! But who gets the money from the sails in the end??

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  10. Wow! that is a great exhibition. You get to see the best stuff living on that side of the pond. I'm envious...

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  11. Wow---from a power station to a popular Art Gallery.. That's amazing. And to have 4.7 million visitors a year... That's awesome... Looks like a great place. Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  12. What a great idea - both making a power station into an art gallery, and those currency boats.

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  13. What a great use for an old powerhouse building. And I love the idea of visitors creating their own art. Very cool!

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  14. Very interesting to see those small boats!

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  15. Exhibition looks fun... Appreciate that small kid to be so conscious to walk between without spoiling them...

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  16. What a wonderful idea to get people involved and perhaps give them a sense of ownership of the gallery. I would have made a boat myself.

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  17. Cute interactive art installment.

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  18. I think the 're-birthing' of these buildings is great - and I like the boats as well.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  19. Free admission, fun activities and displays in amazing spaces - no wonder it's so well patronised.

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  20. Such a vast space!! It's SO on my wish list should I ever 'finish' touring Australia and head overseas!!

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  21. Wow!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  22. Looking at the thumbnails I wondered what those men are doing all looking down on the floor, then it made sense upon opening. What a lovely way to join an exhibit.

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  23. Wonderful museum. Very creative boats by people.

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  24. I didn't know that it had been a power station. I was there twice so it must have been after 2000. Quiet a surprising exposition with the little boats !

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  25. That is very unique and interesting.

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  26. Art of a different appeal!

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  27. We've been there -- loved it....thanks for the memories. Wish we were as close to wonderful Museums now as we were when we stayed in London.

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  28. how cool. But I can´t help but wonder. Is it legal to do things like that with money?

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