The gray, windowless bunker tucked behind the Southbank Centre concert halls has had to bear the brunt of architectural criticism over the years, but that's changed with a foyer extension that gives more daylight, more space for exhibits, a café, and better access. The highlight of the project is an elliptical mirrored glass pavilion by New York-based artist Dan Graham. Exhibitions here encompass a range of art media, crossing history and cultures, bridging the experimental and established. It's consistently on the cutting edge of new developments in art and critical theory, finding new ways to present the well known, from Picasso to Lichtenstein, and providing a prominent platform for up-and-coming artists. A small part of the gallery is always reserved for free exhibitions.
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