Saatchi On The Move - At Last!
Three years ago, to me, Charles Saatchi could do no wrong - then he did wrong…
County Hall on London’s South Bank was probably a wonderful building, ideal for its purpose when opened in 1922 by King George V and Queen Mary. But in 2003, Saatchi decided to house there some of his collection of contemporary art. Never have I come across such a bad match - like jewels in the dirt.
A life-long lover of modern art, the turning point came for me with the “Sensation” exhibition at the Royal Academy in 1997 - the consolidation of the “Young British Art” movement. I reveled in its diversity, playfulness, originality and controversy.
Over the last few years I have been to many contemporary art exhibitions and these are generally held in large white spaces. That’s how I like to see art. I do not like to see it in dingy wood paneled corridors that were fine for council workers to ply their sad trade (Yes I hate councils as well) - I remember entering one such room with a wonderful Hirst picture dominating one wall, with visitors shuffling around to get a good view, an experience not unlike punters in a downmarket betting shop vying for a good view of the television.
I will concede that the rotunda area of the exhibition was wonderful - but that just made the rest of the exhibition space even less acceptable.
So I wait, for what may take a year or more to achieve, and pray that these works of art are given a home worthy of their importance. However, I’m holding my breath that we don’t see one dingy space traded for another.
Visit the Saatchi Gallery online here.