Tate Modern Trip

As part of our work for the Arts Award we decided to be a bit adventurous and take a trip to London to visit the Tate Modern...

Jackie applied to the Arts Award Access Fund to cover the cost of transport and we were really pleased to be successful. In the end a few people couldn't join the trip because of children being poorly, so they visited Swindon Art Gallery with Mike instead.
So 6 young Dads and Mums, a 6-day old baby, Kevin and Jackie set off early on Saturday 14th June by train to London.. We negotiated the underground (a first for some) and arrived at Blackfriars to walk across the river to the Tate.

We decided to try out the multi-media tour as a good introduction to the permanent collection, and everyone looked around all 6 main galleries. The multi-media tour was a good start, but the interactive learning areas in the foyer of each floor proved more engaging! We saw a real range of artwork, and had some interesting discussions as we looked around at things like Carl Andre's floor elements and the 'pile of bricks', Joseph Beuys' installation with a VW camper van and sledges and the huge metal thunderbolt, Richter's large abstract canvases with layers of colour, a wall of poetry, and various film installations including the naked boxer.
The group made notes as a reminder about the things they'd seen.
Then we had another look at the huge urban art commissions on the outside of the building, and did the streetart walking tour too. We extended our visit by an extra 2 hours so we'd have time to see all the street art, which was most people's favourite art of the day.

On the train home Charlotte recorded discussions about the trip, as her 'apprenticeship' task for the Arts Award, and to make a record for everyone of their review.
Thanks to Lisa for photos of the day.