Matisse cut-outs at the Tate Modern -- how crowded on Sunday evenings?
Apr 26th, 2014, 01:29 PM
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Matisse cut-outs at the Tate Modern -- how crowded on Sunday evenings?
I'm planning to see the Matisse cut-outs exhibit at the Tate Modern when I'm in London in June, and I'm wondering if it's worth the extra £10-12 (depending on whether a donation is included) to go on a Sunday evening, when the Tate claims there will be a "quieter exhibition viewing experience" because visitor numbers will be restricted in the evening hours on Sundays.
I realize it's early to ask this, as the exhibit has just opened, but if anyone has any personal experience with how crowded the exhibit is at the "Sunday lates" -- or any information about just how restricted the visitor numbers will be at those times -- I would appreciate it.
I realize it's early to ask this, as the exhibit has just opened, but if anyone has any personal experience with how crowded the exhibit is at the "Sunday lates" -- or any information about just how restricted the visitor numbers will be at those times -- I would appreciate it.
Apr 26th, 2014, 05:27 PM
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Hi Bree,
I am not sure about the crowd on Sunday Lates. But from what other posters have said (Europeannovie and Patrick London) in the last few days, entry to the MATISSE EXHIBIT is times/controlled at all times so it should never be overwhelming.
Today I just booked to take a tour (which is limited to 15, I believe) which costs £20.50 including the cost of the exhibit. I chose a midday slot during the week and am quite happy with that decision.
The MATISSE is getting great reviews. Enjoy...
I am not sure about the crowd on Sunday Lates. But from what other posters have said (Europeannovie and Patrick London) in the last few days, entry to the MATISSE EXHIBIT is times/controlled at all times so it should never be overwhelming.
Today I just booked to take a tour (which is limited to 15, I believe) which costs £20.50 including the cost of the exhibit. I chose a midday slot during the week and am quite happy with that decision.
The MATISSE is getting great reviews. Enjoy...
Apr 27th, 2014, 02:06 AM
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In my experience, the timed entry to special exhibitions at Tate Modern doesn't go far enough to reduce over-crowding. These heavily-promoted art events attract both locals and tourists in their droves in what is already the biggest, most over-crowded city in Europe.
We went to see the Miro exhibition a few years ago late on a Sunday afternoon with timed entry and were dismayed by how crowded it was inside - even with the attempt at controlling numbers. Impossible to see pretty much anything properly, noisy, other people constantly bumping into us, bored children running around. They even inexplicably allowed people with backpacks in!
We went to see the Miro exhibition a few years ago late on a Sunday afternoon with timed entry and were dismayed by how crowded it was inside - even with the attempt at controlling numbers. Impossible to see pretty much anything properly, noisy, other people constantly bumping into us, bored children running around. They even inexplicably allowed people with backpacks in!
Apr 27th, 2014, 02:52 AM
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FWIW I went on a Thursday morning, with most schools back after the Easter break. I'd imagine it would be a sight busier on a Sunday during the day, but not so much in the evenings. But it's impossible to forecast these things.
Apr 27th, 2014, 04:30 AM
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Youtube videos abound about MATISSE and his cut-outs including these two short clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLgSd8ka0Gs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNCKsz24R3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLgSd8ka0Gs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNCKsz24R3Q
Apr 27th, 2014, 08:21 AM
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Thanks to all who have responded so far.
Gordon_R, your point about timed entry not doing enough to reduce overcrowding is exactly what I'm worried about. I saw the Manet exhibit at the Musee d'Orsay in 2011, which used timed entry tickets, and it was so mobbed as to be a thoroughly unpleasant experience.
What I'm wondering is exactly what the Tate Modern means when they say visitor numbers will be restricted on Sunday evenings. If that means the number of visitors will be reduced by half, then the extra cost will be worth it, in my opinion. But if the number of visitors is reduced by only 10% or so, as an excuse for the museum to make a few extra £ on Sunday evenings, then it won't be worthwhile. Oh, well ... I guess there's only one way to find out.
Gordon_R, your point about timed entry not doing enough to reduce overcrowding is exactly what I'm worried about. I saw the Manet exhibit at the Musee d'Orsay in 2011, which used timed entry tickets, and it was so mobbed as to be a thoroughly unpleasant experience.
What I'm wondering is exactly what the Tate Modern means when they say visitor numbers will be restricted on Sunday evenings. If that means the number of visitors will be reduced by half, then the extra cost will be worth it, in my opinion. But if the number of visitors is reduced by only 10% or so, as an excuse for the museum to make a few extra £ on Sunday evenings, then it won't be worthwhile. Oh, well ... I guess there's only one way to find out.
