A listed building in Kensington Gardens that once contained munitions to be used in case of invasion or insurrection is to become a new London gallery in time for the Olympics, it was announced today.
The Serpentine Gallery has been awarded a contract to create a new art space five minutes walk from its existing building, beating competition from two other bids – Damien Hirst and the Halcyon Gallery. It will be called the Serpentine Sackler Gallery because it has only been made possible by an act of philanthropy. Although it declined to give a figure, the gallery described the gift from the Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation as "a major donation" and as the largest in its 40 year history.
Julia Peyton-Jones, the Serpentine's director, said she was "thrilled … beyond thrilled" at winning the lease.
"The idea of expanding the Serpentine has been on our minds for a very long time and we've had our eye on this building also for a very long time. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity."
At the heart of the new gallery's policy will be commissioning and displaying new work from less well-known artists and architects. There will also be an annual large-scale light installation in a new pavilion designed by the architect Zaha Hadid. "We're in one of the rare places in London that has less light pollution than any other," said Peyton-Jones. Outside, an artist will be commissioned annually to create an art play area. And of course, there will be a shop, cafe and restaurant.
Hadid, winner of this year's Riba Stirling prize, will also be responsible for the internal renovation of the Grade-II listed building, which is currently used as office space and storage.
The decision over the new leaseholders means disappointment for Hirst who had proposed creating a gallery where he could show art from his private collection – not just his own, but also works by artists including Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons. He was also planning to create new stained glass windows for the building and bronze gates.
The architect Mike Rundell, who was working with Hirst, suspected they had been outbid in the summer. He told the London Evening Standard in June: "The people who are making the decision seem unaware of the value of our bid, in terms of its heritage. Just imagine if Picasso had been given the chance to show off the works that had influenced him." Today Rundell declined to comment.
The third bidder was the London-based Halcyon Gallery. Its president, Paul Green, said: "We were very proud to take part in the bidding process and to be nominated to get through to the final three. We will continue to look for venues such as this as part of our programme to bring more art and art education to the public."
Mark Camley, the chief executive of the Royal Parks, the freeholder, said it had been a rigorous process deciding on the winning bid. "We would have been delighted to honour any of the three shortlisted bids," he said, adding that it was part of a larger programme of making better use of its buildings. "There will be opportunities in other parts of the parks."
The Magazine, just north of the Serpentine bridge, is one of those London buildings that passersby notice, but have no real idea of what it's for. The core of the building dates from 1765 and it was extended in the early 19th century to become a munitions depot during a period when the fear of a Napoleonic invasion was replaced by fears over a possible internal uprising. It was only after the second world war that the building stopped being a store for munitions.
"When I joined the Royal Parks just over five years ago it was being used as a flagpole store for the flags that go on The Mall," said Camley. "What we're announcing today allows us to open the building up to the public for the first time. It will be a huge benefit for both the public and the parks."
The new gallery will have more than 880 sq metres of galleries and social space – about the same as the Serpentine itself – and entry will be free. There is no public money involved, with the money coming from one of the most philanthropic of families. The Sackler brothers – Arthur, Raymond and Mortimer – were Americans who made a fortune in pharmaceuticals before becoming significant philanthropists, giving to the arts and medical research.
Mortimer Sackler, who died this year, had a house in London and a British wife and his money has paid for developments at the National Gallery, the V&A, the Natural History Museum, the Old Vic, the Royal Opera House and the National Gallery of Scotland, to name just a few cultural institutions.
No comments:
Post a Comment