Tate Modern
Tripping at the Tate
A trip to the UK in June wouldn’t have been complete without a much anticipated stop at the Tate Modern in London. I enjoyed it so much the first visit, I went back with another friend a week later to soak up some more.
Situated on the banks of the Thames in the old Bankside Power Station Building, the original feel of the site has been cleverly maintained through it’s renovation to preserve a magnificent sense of space and the industrial nature of the original architecture. An entrance guaranteed to drop jaws takes visitors through the original turbine room which is seven stories high and completely empty for most of the year apart from the odd, specially commissioned, truly enormous sculptural work (in place from October to March each year).
Tate Modern
The collections inside consist of a substantial regular exhibition that includes some well known Picassos, a work from Klein’s “Blue” period, and an array of mind-boggling masterpieces from Cezanne, Modigliani, Bacon, Warhol and more. This being contemporary art, there’s plenty to scoff at for those who believe “my dog could have painted that” and a good selection of pieces that may leave you scratching your head and wondering what it’s all about. My personal favourite along these lines was a still life that was actually a film of a bowl of fruit decomposing. Curiouser and curiouser.
Tate Modern
A wonderful selection of Frida Kahlo’s work was on show in the feature gallery during my visits, complemented by an enormous wall of photographs of her life. Having recently seen a very similar group of works in the City Gallery in Wellington, I didn’t linger too long, as there was so much more to see. If you’re into shopping, the Tate Modern has two stores, one for trinkets and gadgets to appeal to school kids and tour groups, the other with a range of books, postcards, games, posters, stationery and more to keep the most ardent souvenir hunter happy.
And to cap the whole thing off, a pricey but gorgeously situated restaurant on the top floor, with sweeping views of the Thames, St Pauls and the Millennium Bridge. Traditional fish and chips (with vinegar not tomato sauce!) was the feast of the day, slurped down with a glass or two Sauv Blanc, whilst trying not to be completely uncool drooling over the view. It’s hard not to gawp and sit with your camera stuck to your face when faced with that kind of vista.
London
So, calling all Kiwis living in London on their big OEs and random travellers to the world’s most exciting city: wolf down your treasured Vogel’s toast, slip your Kathmandu daypack on, take along your trusty digital camera and wow the folks back home with tales of your lofty cultural experiences.
