Hi, my name is Ray. I'm originally from Ashford, Kent but am currently working as an economist in ...
Hi, my name is Ray. I'm originally from Ashford, Kent but am currently working as an economist in Malaysia. I enjoy travelling, good food,non-league soocer and Formula 1 motor-racing and love writing about these passions. Hope you enjoy reading my ...
Member since:21.06.2000
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An amazing reincarnation has taken place on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. Massive investments have been made in new attractions and facilities along the so-called Millenium Mile. This stretches from Westminster Bridge to London Bridge.
New attractions include a IMAX cinema at the National Film Theatre, this has the biggest screen in Europe, Vinopolis, City of Wine, a huge new complex unashamedly devoted to wine and its pleasures and topping them all, the British Airways, London Eye - the largest observation wheel in the world. The "eye" has 32 glass pods which undertake a stately revolution in half an hour, giving passengers superb views of the British capital. Londoner's have already taken to the "eye" and it is proving to be a good tourist attraction.
There has also been a virtually unique and unprecedented renaissance of the cultural milieu in this historic city and nowhere is this better emphasized than at the remarkable Tate Modern at Bankside.
The world's largest gallery of modern art, Tate Modern is housed in the old Bankside power station which had actually been in "mothballs" since the 1980's.
It was the creation of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott - who was well known as the designer of Britain's red telephone box - and this new sister to the existing Tate Gallery was designed by Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron to be accessible from all four sides. They employed a dramatic use of glass and there are fabulous views of the City of London. The place is linked to St. Paul's Cathedral by a new Millennium footbridge, designed by Norman Foster.
Developed at a cost of 134 million pounds the Tate Modern is already being compared to the Musee d'Orsay in Paris as a wonderful example of born-again creativity. It is a stunning mix of old and new - a dazzling new showcase for the Tate's huge collection or modern art.
Everything about it is big!. The cathedral like turbine hall - 115 feet high - takes your breath away and houses towering sculptors by the brilliant French-born, American, Louise Bourgeois, including a huge spider. Above the hall are a further six levels, the upper one houses a brasserie cafe serving "modern" British food and offering fine panoramic views of the Thames. There are two other restaurants at the new gallery.
The national collection of international modern and contemporary art is displayed in themes rather than chronologically displayed. Here you will see great works of art ranging from Picasso, Mondrian, Matisse, Dali, Pollock, Giacometti, Duchamp and Andy Warhol.
Admission is free - except for special exhibitions - and the Tate Modern is expected to develop as a favourite meeting place for Londoners. Audio guides will provide information in several languages, and there are three shops including one of the largest book stores in Europe. It is open daily from until 2200 and the nearest tube station is Blackfriars and Southwark on the Jubilee Line.
The Tate Modern is already being talked about as one of the greatest modern art gallery's in the world and if you are making a trip to London, well worth checking out!
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Advantages: Free (donation only) for regular exibits, brilliant works, great surroundings Disadvantages: Costs to see some special exhibits, too much to see in one session (not really a disadvantage through!), too busy
Jun 27th, 2000
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