Tate Modern

The variations of the Tate Modern logo add to the diverse types of art work that are displayed within the museum. The benefits of the variations of the logo are that the blurred effect adds to the more modern and abstract artwork, while the basic type face is more fitting for simple and naturalistic artwork. Slight variations within the logo emphasize the range of contemporary art and are more beneficial and symbolic than a static type face and logo within the museum exhibits. The use of color among the logo variations also adds to the range of contemporary art and makes the logo more exciting and appealing. Some exhibits are much more fitting for these playful alterations within the logo so it makes sense that the logo is also displayed in a sleek and simple black.

The fact that museums in London are free is a phenomena that we are unfamiliar with in the United States. Museums in the U.S. tend to be very expensive, which means that people are unable to visit them as frequently as people in London can and that they're not as available to people of lower economic standards. This leads to the impression that museums are only for the rich in the United States. Free museum admissions impact the London culture because it allows for the people of London to visit museums much more often and for museums to be an available source of enjoyment for everyone. I think that museums should be free because they provide an experience for people to further their appreciation of art and culture. 

The curator at the Unilever Series exhibit states the following, “Each piece is a part of the whole, a commentary on the relationship between the individual and the masses.” I think the installation of this exhibit provides the answer to the question: what does it mean to be an individual in today's society? The exhibit displays 1 billion porcelain sunflower seeds, which represent the population. It's amazing to see how small the sunflower seeds are, but how much area they covered when compiled together. This exhibit speaks to today's culture of mass production and over-population. It seems to emphasize that we are insignificant or powerless unless we act together. I believe this is true because no major change can be made in the world unless people are willing to work together. I found the exhibit to be rather odd and pointless when I first saw it, but when I read the panel alongside it I was able to further appreciate the artist's depiction of today's society and what it means to be an individual in the world.

The gallery walls remain white throughout the Tate Modern exhibition spaces. The color white enables a neutral field for contemplation of the contemporary and modern art. I would not prefer a break in color, where additional hues are incorporated throughout the museum because I feel the white walls serve to emphasize the art and allow a greater visual experience. I prefer the set up of this museum because the white walls allow for visual pulses from the paintings and artwork instead of being overpowered by color and design as a backdrop for the artwork.

 

Upon arriving at the museum, I was very surprised to find that the Tate Modern museum is housed in an ugly, overpowering building that resembles the horrid Humanities building at the University of Wisconsin. However, I appreciate the originality and unique design of this museum. Upon entering the museum, you walk into a gigantic room that looks nothing like a museum and then find the escalators, which transport you into a modern, graffiti adorned room. I enjoyed the graffiti painted walls which displayed the names and time periods of artists within the museum. My favorite part of the museum is the top floors, which are surrounded by glass and give you a beautiful view of London. I think this is an ideal building to house a modern collection collection because it is very unique and compelling, the way art should be.

My favorite object from the collections is from a collection of 6 paintings done by artist Gerhard Richter. These paintings are named after John Cage, an American avant-garde composer who was very unique and experimental with his music. These paintings were completed in 2006 and were created by painting sequential layers and then scraping elements of the paint away. I would return to this object for greater contemplation because I found it incredibly beautiful and compelling. My favorite painting from the collection (pictured below) displays an incorporation of bright colors that makes me think of summer. The greens, blues, and yellows remind me of nature and the picturesque summers in Wisconsin. I am also compelled by the rough design of the grays within the picture and how they seem to emphasize the other colors so attractively.