Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Subterranean oil tanks to be Tate's 2012 showpiece

 

Rob Sharp
Friday 09 September 2011 00:00 BST
Comments
The £215m redevelopment of the Tate was meant to be ready for the Olympics
The £215m redevelopment of the Tate was meant to be ready for the Olympics (© Herzog and de Meuron and Hayes Davidson 2009)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Two subterranean oil tanks behind Tate Modern will be transformed into galleries, creating the "most exciting new space for art in the world", according to the gallery's chairman.

Completion of a £215m extension at the Tate has been delayed until 2016. But the first phase, the conversion of the oil tanks, will be finished in time for the 2012 Olympics.

"To have come as far as we have is no mean achievement," said Lord Browne, chairman of the Tate's trustees. He said 70 per cent of the funds needed for the development had been raised.

The tanks will be turned into gallery spaces for installations, film, performance and discussions. They have been unused since Bankside Power Station, Tate Modern's predecessor, was decommissioned in 1981.

The next phase of the extension project will include a new building designed by the Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron. Overall, the project will create 70 per cent more space for displaying the Tate's collection.

Announcing its annual report yesterday, the Tate said it is the second most-visited arts institution in the world, behind the Louvre. Over seven million people visited its four galleries between 2010 and 2011.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in