What Was the Tate Modern Before It Was an Art Gallery?

Art|Modern Art

The Tate Modern is a world-renowned art gallery located in London, England. It houses an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art, and attracts millions of visitors every year. But what was the Tate Modern before it was an art gallery?

The building that houses the Tate Modern was originally a power station called Bankside Power Station. The power station was built in the early 1900s, and provided much-needed electricity to Londoners at a time when electricity was still in its infancy. The station operated until 1981, when it was decommissioned due to changing regulations and technological advancements.

In 1994, Bankside Power Station was purchased by the Tate Gallery (now known as Tate) for £5 million, with plans to transform it into an art gallery. It took five years and £134 million to complete the transformation process, with the help of architects Herzog & de Meuron. On May 12th 2000, the Tate Modern officially opened its doors to the public.

Today, the Tate Modern is one of London’s most iconic attractions. It houses some of the world’s most famous works of art by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Mark Rothko. The sprawling 10-story building also hosts a variety of events such as film screenings and performances.

Conclusion:

The Tate Modern has come a long way since it’s days as Bankside Power Station. From providing much needed electricity to Londoners in the early 1900s to housing some of the world’s most famous works of modern and contemporary art today – it has become one of London’s most iconic attractions!