Turner Extraordinary
Margate's MP, Roger Gale, has described as "Turner Extraordinary" the final design for the Turner Contemporary Gallery presented to the public by award-winning architect David Chipperfield this week. "The design is extraordinary in the literal sense of the word" says the MP. "An extraordinary amount of intelligence has been applied, by David Chipperfield, to the concept. An extraordinary degree of attention has been paid to the need to create public space that meets the real needs of real and sometimes disabled people. Extraordinary use has been made of the geographic location of the site and of the northern light and the southern light that is available. The cladding - in re-cycled glass - is extraordinary and the design itself is exciting and outstanding".
Speaking at the close of the launch presentation of the project at the Theatre Royal, Margate, the MP said:
"The Chinese say that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. When those of us who have been party to this project took that first step I am not sure that we could even see the horizon, much less the end of the journey. But we have come a very long way along a winding and sometimes bumpy road and I believe that our faith has been justified. Though the exciting talents of David Chipperfield and the dedication of the artistic director, Victoria Pomery and her team, we are in reach of something very special indeed.
We have always said that the Turner Gallery would be the cornerstone of the Margate Waterfront Development and so it will be.
But those of us who are elected members at District, County and Parliamentary level have to play our part. The Car Parking and the regeneration of the Old Town and the High Street and the provision of mundane facilities such as public lavatories require detailed attention if we are to create a destination resort that is user-friendly for visitors and residents alike.
David Chipperfield has created the jewel - it is up to us to create the appropriate setting."
Labels: Gallery. Gale, Margate, turner
I absolutely love it!
Posted by
sue |
10:14 AM
PS. Simon, who is this Tunrer chap?
(link)
Posted by
sue |
10:17 AM
Good point.. well spotted - Thanks!
Posted by
DrMoores |
10:19 AM
"I believe our faith has been justified".
How does he work that out ? I believe our faith will be justified when the thing is built on time, on budget and attracts the sort of investment, visitor numbers and cash to the area that has been much-heralded.
Honestly !
Posted by
Mr Friday |
11:25 AM
I'm still unconvinced about this whole project and the picture you show does not help me be convinced. This is classic 'Emperor's New Clothes' in the guise of Turner Centre that has incurred wasteful expenditure in excess of £6 million with still nothing to show for it.We continue to hope that another £15million will 'do the trick' and get the bally thing built. So what next after 2010? Do we really believe that 130,000 NEW visitors will make their way to Margate to look at a building that is about as pretty as the coastal defence bunker that passes for toilets opposite the station? If so continue believing in the project; the tooth fairy and Father Christmas. What is or is not going to happen on Dreamland/Arlington site is of far more critical importance to Margate's regeneration.
Posted by
Anonymous |
1:02 PM
In the crazy world that we now live in where all this money can’t be spent on a world-class amusement park for the dreamland site, and frankly looking at Margate’s problems the notion that a gallery displaying modern art can solve them leaves me totally bemused, one tries to make meaningful comments that may improve what one can only consider as an inevitable absurdity.
In our Thanet towns it has been proven repeatedly that only the traditional building materials, brick, flint, slate etc. look well after a few years in our sea air, massive concrete constructions don’t, especially right on the sea front, look at Arlington House, I would imagine it looked spectacular on the drawing board.
Now to me, a shop assistant who hasn’t been trained to appreciate modern architecture, but enjoys Margate’s Georgian buildings immensely and once liked to see the skyline of the big wheel and the other rides, this latest addition to Margate’s architecture looks to me like, heads of K9 without the ears.
I leave you with a quote about the first phase fiasco that may be a case against teaching O level art criticism. “The appeal of this futuristic vision may yet encompass the sheer ebullience of building in a seemingly impossible place. This dream shocks and excites, draws attention, interest.”
Posted by
Michael Child |
2:19 PM
I like the concept of something that totally sticks out from its surroundings, that is made of foreign (to the area) materials. I think the Architects should consider M Child's point re' the salt air. For instance if a building was covered in copper the copper colour would look great but after 10 years turn green....okay if the intention is to have a green coloured building. If cheap materials are used you'll find pitting and long rust stains that after 10 years make locals to want to pull the thing down as it may by then look an eye sore.
Posted by
Anonymous |
4:07 PM
I'm still not convinced the Turner Centre is the right thing for Margate and the pictures releasaed today. There's one on the KCC website, showing another ange of the building, which makes it bear more than a passing resemblance to Dungeness B power station.
Perhaps that's what they mean when they talk about generating something new for Margate! Plug yourselves in now folks.
If the money spent so far on this troubld project had been handed out to all the residents of Thanet, everyonoe would have had about £100 each. Think what that would do for the local economy.
Nick, Whitstable
Posted by
Anonymous |
6:20 PM
I'm still not convinced the Turner Centre is the right thing for Margate and the pictures releasaed today. There's one on the KCC website, showing another ange of the building, which makes it bear more than a passing resemblance to Dungeness B power station.
Perhaps that's what they mean when they talk about generating something new for Margate! Plug yourselves in now folks.
If the money spent so far on this troubld project had been handed out to all the residents of Thanet, everyonoe would have had about £100 each. Think what that would do for the local economy.
Nick, Whitstable
Posted by
Anonymous |
6:20 PM
It might be rose tinted spectacles but I feel there are slightly fewer 'condemn it without thought' comments around now and increasingly more 'thoughtful' postings - not all in favour of course but at least attempting to make a point about the issue rather than drawing attention to their own hilarious attempts at humorous irony. I don't know if it's good or bad but it's more balanced.
Posted by
Anonymous |
8:41 AM
I think it is stunning and just what Margate needs.I am sure david Chipperfield and his team have given this build a great deal of thought and it's great to see he listened and amended this build and come up with something this fantastic.myself and friends can't wait it will really help Margate..
Posted by
Anonymous |
2:02 PM
At £6,000,000 + £15,000,000 so it should "really help Margate", 2.02pm. I, for one, think it has and will be money mis-spent; time will tell.
Posted by
Anonymous |
3:05 PM
anon again!
Just got back from Deutschland, and there is an artificial Ski-slope there that looks like it might have been designed by the same person.
Posted by
Anonymous |
10:57 AM
It does look a bit like a squared off version of the old design.
Lets just hope they actualy build this one
Posted by
Snailspace |
12:41 PM