Page 184 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

182  L ONDON AREA B Y AREA

9 Tate Modern

Looming over the southern bank of the Thames, Tate Modern, housed
within the converted Bankside Power Station, is a dynamic space for
one of the world’s premier collections of contemporary art. Up until
2000, the Tate collection was shown at three galleries: Tate St Ives,
Tate Liverpool and the former Tate Gallery, now Tate Britain (see
pp86–9). With the addition of Tate Modern, space was made for a The “light beam”, a
two-storey glass box,
growing acquisition of contemporary art. Tate Modern continually allows light to filter
re-hangs its collection, so works and exhibitions may differ. into the upper
galleries.

Switch House
This vast extension, which opened in 2016, Level 6
incorporates the power station’s original
tanks, increasing the gallery space by
60 per cent. Like the original, the building
is designed by architects Herzog & de Level 5
Meuron but presents something radically
new. A perforated brick lattice work allows
the interior lights to glow in the evening.
Level 4

Level 3

Level 2

Level 1

7 entrance
Interacting with Art
Tate Modern has won awards for its
handheld multimedia guides, which
present audio commentary alongside
images, film clips and games. The gallery’s Level 0
latest digital project, Bloomberg Connects,
enables members of the public to actively
connect with art, artists and other visitors.

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