Down the Chute

[dotinthesky]

The Unilever Series: Carsten Höller

Is Carsten Höller's project for the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern a work of art? No it isn't. But it's a lot of fun.

I went there on my lunch break with a few co-workers and slid down one of the smaller tubes. For the large ones, you need to get a timed ticket, which can mean waiting for hours until it's your turn. All rides are free.

Before we left, a girl had an accident. She was coming down the fastest slide and, somehow, her body twisted and she hit her head on the ground. Nobody seemed too concerned at the splayed body, apart from one museum staff who talked to her in a calm manner. I didn't see anyone in a hurry to call an ambulance, or at least get a nurse (which I'm sure the Tate has stored somewhere). The girl lay crumpled by the slide up until the moment we left.

I predict plenty of accidents and press copy.

Comments

[brokenhaze.livejournal.com]

i'm in london this friday and was thinking of heading towards these slides but this tale of injury is somewhat offputting...

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I say go, and have a look for yourself -- you might decide it's safe. I think the girl stopped halfway down the slide and turned yerself, because I really can't see how she could have ended head-first. And go early, otherwise you might not get a ticket.

[la-mascherina.livejournal.com]

They look amazing, but definitely to be ridden at your own risk. Still, I can't believe no-one went to that poor girl's aid. Maybe they thought she was part of the installation.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Maybe they thought she was part of the installation.

For a split second I thought the same; she was lying down with her hair covering her face, and she didn't move at all; didn't even look like she was breathing.

[theyare45.livejournal.com]

whoa, awesome. not the injury, natch, but the slides...

luv, math+