Let me begin with gallery membership. Individual annual membership, which gives unlimited access to all the Tate galleries, is currently £76 if you pay by direct debit. Membership includes discount in the gallery shops and visits to the Members' room and Members' café bar with their inspiring views across the river.
Now let's see how much I would have spent had I bought my tickets at the ticket desk.
Free the permanent collection
I started here, unconsciously perhaps reminding myself as I looked at the Picassos, Modiglianis, Mondrians and Matisses of how much we owe to European art – and the tax payers and benefactors who buy it for us.
£18 Pierre Bonnard – ends Monday 06 May
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In the Bathroom 1907 |
£13 Dorothea Tanning – ends Sunday 09 June
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Installation shot of Pincushion to Serve as Fetish 1979 |
Free The buildings, interiors and exhibition spaces
For me, the built environment of Tate Modern captures my attention almost as much as the art. Shown below is part of the staircase of the Blavatsky Building, Herzog & de Meuron's consummate extension.
Since I was heading towards my final exhibition of the day, already having visited two large ones, I really appreciated how the architects have designed in benches, seating platforms, sitting areas tucked in by the stairs. Here were places to relax and contemplate what one had seen as well as adjust the vision for what was to come.
£13 Franz West – ends Sunday 02 June
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I Installation view of Trunkenes Gebot, 1988 (correctedfrom previous) |
Franz West died in 2012. He often collaborated with other artists, including Britain's own Sarah Lucas. It is Lucas who has designed the plinths, interior walls and backdrops for this exhibition, all of which beautifully stage the work.
So, 'L'addition' . . . without counting visits to the shop(s), coffee and cake, mine would have come to £44. However, I shall be returning to all of them: Bonnard and Tanning because they are so large and West because his work is so fascinating. Then there's Van Gogh at Tate Britain to come.
TATE MODERN
International modern and contemporary art
Bankside, London SE1
OPENING TIMES
Sunday to Thursday 10.00–18.00
Friday to Saturday 10.00–22.00
Information 09.00–18.00, daily;
Membership and ticketing services 09.45–18.00, daily
Membership and ticketing services 09.45–18.00, daily
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