Minimal

Meccano bridges?!?

Don’t give me a replica — an exact replica — give me your interpretation. Show me how you see it. Sure, it’s modern, but is it art? I didn’t think so, although I appear to be in the minority. I love a good bit of engineering, but let’s not try to pass off someone else’s work as art of your own making.

The Baltic does, however, have some real plus points. “Dreamtime” by Jane and Louise Wilson — a short film capturing the moments leading up to three cosmonauts’ space flight — was delightful. According to the blurb, it “examines the way in which power — in this case, the political and technological power behind the international space programme — is manifested through architecture”. I just find everything about rockets awesome. Yes, I know it’s still just engineering, like the bridges, but at least the artists had a significant chunk of creative input here.

As for Alec Finlay’s recreation in dance of Archie Gemmill’s goal... it was... intriguing. In fact, I think I almost liked it. A little over-analysed in places, but overall I like the comparisons drawn between the beautiful game in its most flowing moments and the grace of a balletic dance. Finally, Julian Opie’s oversized outline drawings were... anatomically correct. ;) I missed out on the gongs and the flashing lights, but there should be something else replacing them soon.

Overall, I couldn’t help feeling a little underwhelmed. How people can compare it to the Tate Modern in London is beyond me — from what I can tell, there’s nothing like as much content. And that’s the nub of it. Quality over quantity is a fine ideal, but I wouldn’t mind a bit of both. Not only that, but when the average quality’s only ok, the venue is left wanting. At the end of the day, I can’t help feeling that the building itself and the footbridge to it are the real works of art and will continue to outshine the stuff inside.