The Tate Modern's oil tanks will be dedicated permanently to live art installation and performance. The giant subterranean spaces will host the live art and film programmes, which were previously presented in diverse spaces around Tate Modern.
"We will see many more works which involve the spectator, said Tate Modern director Chris Dercon. "There is an incredible appetite for participation." Catherine Wood, curator of contemporary art and performance, adds: "We're excited about the opportunity to create events that are part installation, part discussion, part performance, which is very much in the spirit of the way artists are working now."
The Tanks are the first phase of a £215 million extension that will increase Tate Modern's size by 60%, adding 21,000 square meters of new space. Nicholas Serota says 75% of funding has been raised and he hopes the building work will be complete before December 2016.
The Tanks will open on 18 July, ten days before the Olympics, and be filled with a 15 week festival of art. Afterwards the Tanks will be closed during some periods to enable building works on the new galleries above.
Image: Tate Modern Tank
