'Dundee is a great city' — new V&A London director Martin Roth excited by waterfront plans
The new director of the V&A in London visited Dundee waterfront on Wednesday and admitted he was impressed.
Philip Long (left) and Martin Roth discussing the plans.
- By Craig McManamon
- Published in the Courier : 08.09.11
- Published online : 08.09.11 @ 10.37am
Martin Roth, who was appointed to the high-profile position by the V&A board of trustees and the prime minister less than a week ago, said he was delighted to be in the city and to see for himself where the new £45 million V&A at Dundee will be situated.
He met the director of the Dundee V&A project Philip Long before touring the nearby DCA and the McManus Art Gallery and Museum.
"It's my fifth day as V&A director and it's my first official visit, which I hope shows what I think of this exciting project," he said. "The response it has received from people in the area is really amazing.
"I have been in this industry for the past 35 years and I have never seen such support.
The V&A at Dundee is a challenge because it is bringing a lot of new ideas together. But Dundee is a great city and the V&A will have a beautiful setting on the River Tay."
Mr Roth replaces Mark Jones, who left to become a master of St Cross College at Oxford University.
He comes with an impressive CV that boasts 10 years of running Dresden's extensive art collections and organising international shows.
Construction on the Dundee project is due to get under way next year, with the venue opening in 2015.
07.04pm - 08.09.2011 Neale Elder - Perth, Scotland Report This
Good to see the latest waterfront vision, but regrettable they are sticking with that gridiron layout instead of changing to something more fluid to fully embrace the V&A, which still looks as it if it simply being 'bolted on'. The V&A is prima donna on the stage and must have the best support!
04.13am - 09.09.2011 A.P. - Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
My first impression? It is huuuge!! That said, at least in 10 years' time we hopefully won't easing ourselves why we didn't make it bigger first time round. I can't believe how lucky we are in Dundee to have this opportunity to link up with the iconic V&A, and, WHAT'S NEXT? Scottish police HQ?
Add a comment