Biennial Radar: Tate Liverpool

You’d expect Liverpool’s national collection of contemporary art to put on a bit of a show for the Biennial, wouldn’t you? You’d be right. In fact, they’ve got so much on they’ve even had the builders in to knock up an extension.

We say knock up. We really mean, worked with lauded British architect David Adjaye on a 360 degree immersive gallery, and new cultural destination…We spoke to Tate to find out a little more.

What’s Happening?

Firstly – a stunning new commission outside the gallery space on the Dock by US video artist Doug Aitken entitled Sky Arts Ignition Series – Doug Aitken – The Source. The work, which features conversations with creative individuals such as Jack White, Beck and Tilda Swinton, is housed in a pavilion designed by the artist in collaboration with British architect David Adjaye. Secondly – Thresholds – a Tate Collection display with a difference. As well as exploring the timely and powerful themes of British identity, migration and the global effects of regional conflicts, it also exhibits a number of new Tate works for the first time since they were acquired.

Why Should We Come?

Visit by day and you can enter Doug Aitken’s pavilion to see his work, The Source. Visit by night, and the work will be projected onto the exterior of the pavilion. It looks amazing and is a beacon on the Dock.

What Shouldn’t We Miss?

As well as the opportunity to see Doug Aitken’s very first UK public installation, you can see twelve works displayed by Tate for the first time since aquisition to the Collection, including Kader Attia’s works Oil and Sugar #2 2007 and Untitled (Ghardaia) 2009, Pak Sheung Chuen’s A Travel without Visual Experience 2008 and the not-so-succinctly titled Dans plusieurs de ces forêts et de ces bois, il n’y avait pas seulement des villages souterrains groupés autours du terrier du chef mais il y avait encore de véritables hameaux de huttes basses cachés sous les arbres, et si nombreaux que parfois la forêt en était remplie. Souvent les fumées les trahissaient. Deux de… 1993 by Jimmie Durham.

Amazing Art Fact?

Kader Attia’s work Untitled (Ghardaia) 2009, which features as part of Thresholds, is made out of cous cous. During the run of the exhibition, the cous cous will dry out, mirroring the decay of stone buildings.

Any Special Dates?

Families should come along for our free activity The Big Draw – with artist Kevin Hunt helping them to find out how you can draw sound… It’s part of the Campaign for Drawing’s national Big Draw event and you can just drop in from Monday 22 October – Friday 26 October, 13:00-16:00.

Your Biennial in Seven Words

Spectacular, topical, outdoor, new, immersive, pavilion, cous-cous!

Tate Biennial
15 Sept – 25 Nov
(Pavilion until 13 Jan 2013)
Tate Gallery
Albert Dock