Reader Kevin, who went on a tour of Margate's unfinished Turner Contemporary yesterday, writes:I am completely disinterested in this project but I wondered if you would like my immediate impressions...
I arrived five minutes before the hour, brandishing the letter saying I’d been invited on the tour. The person I invited along and I were pleasantly shepherded in to Droit House to receive our fluorescent jacket and hard hat.
Assembling at the front entrance to the site, we paused as the KCC guy and the Turner lady welcomed us to the tour and mentioned facts, figures, safety concerns (it’s a building site, so try not to trip) and the ban on the use of cameras on the (spurious) reason of copyright issues.
Entering the site, we were then lead on a predetermined route through the concrete walls/hanging wires/scaffolding that is the Turner at the moment.
I don’t know how much of it, if any, you have seen but it is a lot bigger on the inside than can be seen on the outside. Tardis came to mind.
Our group of 25 were then led on a tour of the future reception area, cafe, shop, gallery, and conference space on the ground floor, and large gallery spaces and education space on the first.
Big windows. No, seriously big windows. They have put in big floor to ceiling windows in every space, and the roof is 60 ft in places, but to get valuable works of art down to a seaside setting they have an atmosphere controlled/we can control the natural light area, which means that as well as contemporary art works there will be ‘proper pictures' on the walls (sorry, I asked the question, but I prefer ‘proper pictures') including, from the opening, a ‘Turner’ on loan from the Tate.
Our group were invited to ask questions and they involved what type of floor in the gallery, the lift (it will be able to hold 100 people, apparently) and the type of art on display.
After 45 minutes we returned our safety gear and, passing the television cameras, left to make our own minds up.
Yes, obviously it’s still a building site.
It is a lot bigger inside than you would think.
It will have great views, though they were already there.
The people involved really care.
I asked Turner lady if she could give us a one sentence reply to pass on to people who moan about the ‘eyesore’ on Margate harbour. She said things about ‘Dynamic’ ‘Forward Looking’ etc.
I would suggest they just say ‘Give it a chance'.
23 comments:
Well said.
I am interested to know if you are "completely disinterested" why you went?
I would have to agree about giving it a chance for the money has now been spent, protest is in vain and we might just as well see how it goes.
Bet the local 'tealeaf' is all excited about a real Turner within the locality but it is within view of Fort Hill so it could be just a trap!
'A lift to hold a 100 people'. Why?
11.29 a.m. being "disinterested" I think means not having anything personally to gain from something as opposed to "uninterested" meaning just that - bored stiff. So I guess "disinterested" used in its proper context would make sense here
Precisement Denplan!
I used disinterested in its proper context lest anybody thought I might be trying to 'sell' the project. re the lift it will be used by members of the public who need it during the day and the movement of hefty artwork at night. The floors can bear 3 tons and the ceilings can hang 1 ton so large pieces and installations can be housed, if offered. Kevin
I think the Turner centre will be the re-making of Thanet. The amout of free publicity the area will get as a spin-off will make a huge difference. We now need other attractions like spectacular fountains and lasers not only in margate but the other town in thanet as well. I think Thanet is entering an exciting phrase we should all be pleased about it.
I'm glad to hear that it is worth every penny of the umpteen million that has been spent on it. On the other hand, that isn't quite what you said, is it?
The Turner centre is really lucky to have such a splendid airport on hand to fly in hundreds of tourists from all parts of the globe.
I'm sure it will be the making of Thanet.
God bless her & all who sail in her.
Now where did I put my medication?
I bet the first thing the turner person said th Kevin our poster was:
"Look into my eyes, don't look around my eyes, look into my eyes......."
Sounds like he was successfully hypnotised to give a glowing report.
Someone probably said that the whole area needs a big lift so they put one in the Turner Centre......
No cameras for copyright reasons. Aload of tosh. What's copyright about the inside of a building? Should have taken the 306 sections of the Coppyright Designs & Patent Act with you and quoted from it! Besides it was on BBC TV for anyone to record. As for dynamic can a Turd Centre collection be dynamic?
This architectural carbuncle will continue until its matched by the Thanet Earth, off shore wind farm powered, desalination plant at Minnis Bay
Googling the Turner Centre, one gets "The Turner Centre is a private counselling & psychotherapy centre in Colchester Essex" . Nothing about the soon to be opened Margate Branch to provide psychotherapy to the denizens of TDC & KCC offices
9:16 I think that's why they changed their name to Turner Contemporary, to avoid being confused with the trick cyclists in Essex.
If, however, 9:16, you Google 'Turner Contemporary' you will find loads of info on the new building project in Margate.
The arts council don't build jettys Peter.
I went on one of the tours.
I was really impressed.
Although still a building site, it is clear that every space in the building is well designed to show works of art and to take best advantage of the views and natural light. The quality of finishing details is impressive.
The size of the windows is so imposing that when the coverings come off, the landscape will become part of the rooms. I can imagine how awesome it will be to see a storm from inside the building, or one of our famous sunsets. The building is of world class quality, something we can be very proud of.
Wow! Sounds as if the view is going to be every bit as good as it was from the road. And we get an art gallery that's "well-designed to show works of art". Jolly good value for £17 million, plus a couple of million a year running costs.
If those who like to make a commet think it is worth the effort why do they hide behind the "Anon" is it i wonder because when the Turner centre turns out to be very successful and brings in millions of pounds to thanet they don,t want others to know how wrong they were with their views.
Says someone hiding behind the Anon! Perhaps they don't want a brick through there window, this being Thanet!
If any of you are looking for a life model then i recommend Mick, he sat for me last evning for the 14th time and as always mick we had a good laugh, you never know mick one of my drawing's / painting's of you may hang in the Turner. Now that would get the locals talking!! Thanks again mate Kev.
Margate renamed Plug Ugly Margate
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