The Cuban artist Tania Bruguera renamed Tate Modern's main building after local activist Natalie Bell as part of her 2018 Turbine Hall commission © Tate
It seems an uneven match: on one side the billionaire Len Blavatnik, who reportedly donated more than £50m to the Tate; on the other, a south London activist called Natalie Bell who has donated her time to helping the local community. But now, both have buildings at Tate Modern named after them.
As part of her Turbine Hall commission last year, the Cuban artist Tania Bruguera boldly renamed Tate Moderns main building after Bell, who has worked for decades with youth and community programmes in the local area. The name change was meant to last a year—up to the unveiling of Kara Walkers new commission this week. But it has now been made permanent, and Bells name sits proudly opposite that of Blavatniks, whose financial gift is one of the largest in the museums history.
“Im delighted that were retaining the name of the Natalie Bell Building,” says Tate Moderns director Frances Morris. “Natalie has transformed so many lives in the area.”
At a time when the names of museum buildings, extensions and galleries are coming under increased scrutiny, with institutions trying to balance their values with the need for sponsorship, the keeping of the name is a bold move. “The institution has signalled with this gesture that it is not trying to solve things by creating an event but that it has committed to be part of a long-term dialogue on socially responsible culture,” Bruguera says. Bell echoes the sentimenRead More – Source
