The Switch House Photo Diary: Inside New Tate Modern

I had the pleasure of tagging along with my Mum to the Members preview of the new Tate Modern building; the Switch House.

On your next visit to London’s most popular art gallery, here’s what’s in store…

Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, who converted the original Bankside factory building in 2000, the new building adds 60% extra space to the gallery which Tate are saying allows; “more international art, more art by women and great new installations”

Here’s how it’s looking…

Firstly, the outside itself. A big step away from steel and glass of most tall new buildings in London. The architects say they’re now ’embarrassed’ they even suggested a glass building in an early proposal. Up close it’s even more intricate and beautiful.

Let’s take a peek inside…

The concrete makes for a surprisingly bright and airy interior, and there are some gorgeous shapes. Also, who doesn’t love a spiral staircase?

But what about the art?

Kader Attia’s model of Ghardaia, Algeria made using 300kg of couscous.

Marwan Rechmaoui, Beirut Caoutchouc 2004-2008. It’s a precise map of Beirut made of rubber that visitors are encourage to walk over.

Louise Bourgeois is the first artist to be shown in the new Artist Rooms section, here’s her monumental spider; Maman from 1999.

and for the finale…

Most people immediately headed up to the 10th floor, there’s a big queue at floor 0 to go striaght up, but skip it and walk, it’s not too bad!

And the view is pretty spectacular…

The New Tate Modern is now open to the public and is free!

More information can be found on their website, here.