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Sunday, 24 February, 2008 
The Angel of the North turns 10 years old this year I remember reading in the Daily Mail at the time of construction about what an appalling waste of money it was by the National Lottery. They were, according to The Mail, proving beyond all shadow of a doubt that they were clueless about spending other people’s money I then moved on and forgot all about the Angel of the North until I had reason to drive to Newcastle on business a few years after this. What I saw horrified me. Here was a landmark, the scale and magnitude of which almost took my breath away. Quite literally in fact, as on seeing it I nearly drove off the road, which would have rendered me permanently breathless I fear. It horrified me though. It horrified me about how wrong I had been. This is surely a modern masterpiece. I don’t know or care what it ‘means’, but to me it looks sensational I tried hard after that to take a positive view of things knowing full well that I am somewhat predisposed to an attitude some might consider a little ‘traditional’. So it was with the experience of my mistake 10 years ago and a positive mental attitude (PMA) that I visited the Tate Modern with Amy and two friends The building, a former power station on the banks of the Thames, is gargantuan and very imposing. Walking inside one can’t help but gasp at the size of the open space. It is a magnificent building. But what of the exhibits? Please remember I was working hard on the ‘PMA’ when I saw Exhibit 1: The Crack. Is a 500 foot long crack in the floor interesting to look at? Debatable. Was it Art? You have to be joking. It’s a crack in the floor for goodness sake, and not a very realistic looking one either Someone once said to me “It’s art if is provokes discussion”. Well, in that case most of the exhibits at The Tate were indeed art. The discussion I had over and over again was “How have they managed to get away with this?” But I felt somewhat in a minority. There was a great deal of chin scratching going on and people sitting looking at, well, I’m not sure what most of it was. I worried I was being ignorant, that I was of a tiny minority who didn’t ‘get it’ and I explained my fears to our hosts “Don’t worry” said Paul and pointed to the wall. “Last time we came here, my father stood staring at that fire exit scratching his chin. After 5 minutes he was flanked either side by other ‘critics’ admiring this piece of fine art.” True story. Sad, but true. Don’t get me wrong, there were some great works there such at Monet’s Waterlillies, but these were lost amongst the general debris on display So what is the relevance to Leeds? I always want what’s best for the city as most of us do. Our art gallery is fantastic and is well worth a visit for any of you who haven’t been since the revamp. The exhibits beat The Tate hands down, especially the modern art. We are opening the Leeds Museum this year which I hope will be a big draw and we have The Armouries but we don’t yet have that ‘must see’ feature We have two opportunities coming up in Leeds and I prey we get two hits. Rumour has it on the site of the former International Pool we may get a building designed by Foster and Partners. These people designed the spectacular ‘Gherkin’ building in London. The idea for Leeds was a tower in the shape of a stack of giant poppadums. The artist’s impressions look amazing and would certainly court controversy. The other opportunity is the Leeds Arena. We need something as original as the Chinese ‘Bird’s Nest’ stadium, the Guggenheim in Bilboa or the Sydney Opera House but not, I might add, the 10 times over budget Holyrood Parliament in Edinburgh, the entrance of which looks like a Caribbean airport after a hurricane If we got a landmark building it would be sure to provoke discussion. But in this case, I hope that might just make it art Matthew Lobley Roundhay Ward Conservative Councillor
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