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National Gallery vs Tate Modern. War?
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Message
Posted
Since the National Gallery (NG) announced earlier this week that it is expanding the Trafalgar Square site northwards, there has been speculation that there "will be blood" between NG and Tate. Mostly because NG mused that the arbitrary 1900 cut off date of works to be hung there, may now be relaxed (even more so).
I don't know how many of us on here have visited these London galleries, but I wonder if others share my view that Tate Modern on Bankside is an example of a terrible waste of space. To be honest, I visited when it first opened, and often since to fill time when meeting friends going to the Globe - I am nearly always underwhelmed. Occasionally there's a good exhibition which is pleasing, but their permanent collection doesn't do a thing for me. I dropped my membership after a couple of years. It was mostly used to visit Tate Britain exhibitions - I'll now pay for those seperately. Also trying to find which works Tate Modern hold on display is something of a trial on their website.
The National, on the other hand, never ceases to fascinate. No matter how many times I visit, there's always another room with more to inspect or study. And the way they hang and light special exhibitions is wonderful. Both the Van Gogh and the Velasco exhibitions elicited a gasp from me as I entered.
Anyone with more positive impressions of Tate Modern? Perhaps I'm not approaching it the best way.
Edited
by Norrette Moore
Posted
I’ve never visited Tate Modern, mostly because it’s not easy for me to make the trip these days. When I can visit the big smoke I want to make the best use of my time. I must admit the Tate Modern website doesn’t excite me, whereas I know I’ll find the National Gallery, the Portrait Gallery and Tate Britain endlessly interesting.
However I know several people who thought Tate Modern wonderful.
Posted
I have visited Tate Modern a few times, and know what you mean about the waste of space!
I know that my son in law has taken our five year old grandson there a couple of times and they do seem to have extras aimed at appealing to children.
I used to travel by train quite regularly for exhibitions and from Paddington it is an easy and quick trip to the NG and the Mall Galleries nearby. Over the last few years train fares etc have risen so much that it’s now a fairly expensive day out which is a shame. Also I was put off during the Covid years obviously.
Posted
Ah, you remind me of the covid years, Tessa. I went often during the breaks between lock downs. No tourists and most Brits having other stuff to catch up with. I almost had the galleries to myself. Wonderful! And a Freedom pass on the half empty tube, to boot.
I must keep reminding myself how lucky I am.
Yes, Lew, the portrait gallery is great these days, especially after their refit.
Im going to take a look at the Marine Art exhibition at the Mall Galleries in the next week or two.
Edited
by Norrette Moore
Posted
I agree with everyone's comments. I'm lucky in that I only live 1.5 hours away from London and my train goes into Charing Cross so my much visited galleries are the Mall galleries, Courtauld and of course the wonderful National and National Portrait Galleries. Have been fortunate enough to have also had a couple of private small group tours around can highly recommend and worth booking.
Posted
Well worth seeing Lew if you do get the chance. I hope to see more. Suddenly realised that instead of going up on the train for the day I could stay an extra night at my daughter’s when I do grandma duty in London, and get the tube in from there. Not sure why I didn’t think of that before! Simples. 🤔