Rik's reviews
Review of Tate Modern
29 May 07, 23:56
Modern art makes me want to rock out 
I am a modern art fan, I thought I'd get that out of the way before I started. Yes, this does mean I like weird paintings of two block colours and abstract dribble paintings that don't look like anything.
You do get your fair share of people that visit the Tate who will not get modern art. "Why can't they just paint a normal picture?", "I don't get what it means", "I could do better in my shed", etc. You can usually tell who they are, walking around, usually tagging along with a partner, looking bored and slightly confused. You either get modern art or you don't.
Even if you don't get modern art, the Tate is still a good day out. It's always interesting to find out the artists behind the work - how they grew up, their inspirations and what makes them tick. Even the most ardent anti-modern fan would be interested in why a particular painting is like it is, which is what the Tate does very well. It gives a great background by providing detailed analysis in every room and by each image, and it's set out in such a logical, well-organized way that it's difficult to get disorientated.
Another great thing is that it's free (barring a donation, which I suggest visitors give to help the gallery). Considering the amount of famous artwork that they have here, you'd be expecting to pay a considerable amount to enter if this was in any other country.
On the down side, the gallery does get particularly busy at the weekends and it can be hard to appreciate art when a tourist is backing into you with a large rucksack, or when someone decides to answer their phone in the middle of a packed, but silent, room.
If you don't think you don't really like modern art, please go. You might be surprised, you may even gain some culture and come away with a new appreciation for modern art. And if you come away not liking modern art, then at least you've had a nice day out at one of the worlds largest galleries.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.