tiredI got on the escalator to the first level. (Bad, bad idea... It seemed to take about ten minutes while I panic-attacked and vertigoed away, cravenly.) Never again; continued via lift.
I spent some time with the 'Five Angels for the Millennium'. Bill Viola is one of the few film/installation people who really provide that frisson of the numinous that I require. I always like his stuff. There was also an amazing film by Jean Vigo of a carnival in Nice in the 20's; really macabre. I loved it.Must admit to being mesmerised by Paul McCarthy's "Rocky" as well. naked bloke in bizarre, Popeye-like mask brutally batters himself, smears ketchup on torso, etc. According to the 'storyboard' it all ends in a 'money shot', but instead it just seemed to be going on eternally.
There was a tour group going around. Everyone had a wee folding chair, (-wish I had one to take to the French Institute tomorrow, to avoid the Iron Maiden effect of their weeny armchairs on my mammoth carcass-)and this woman proceeded to talk such astonishing bollocksy drivel about Picasso's 'Weeping Woman' that I was embarrassed to be overhearing it. After that, she and her group seemed to home in on virtually everything I was looking at, which got a bit tiresome. It was generally surprisingly 'crowded', though, for a weekday morning. In the end, I'd 'done' so much, just on the fifth level, that I was braindrained, and decided it's the kind of place that really can't be properly seen in one day. I then had a good look at the shop (irresistible) and came out eight quid lighter (I just must not do this sort of thing...)with a poster and some cards.
Gosh, I'm quite weary, now. It's so COLOSSAL. Sure is ugly from the outside, though.
http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/explore/tatesite.html
