Who wants to run Tate Modern?
Don't you think it's weird that in a country which - according to a plethora of commentators - has become besotted with modern and contemporary art, there is almost no discussion about the vacancy at the top of one of the world's most prestigious modern-art museums?
Look at the departure today of Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy - went straight into this website's top ten most-read articles.
But when , the soon-to-be-leaving boss of , announced he was off a couple of months ago, it barely got a mention. Since then, there has been no discernable discussion about who might take over the world's most-visited museum of modern art, no short-lists of potential candidates - no conjecture whatsoever. Well, at this blog, we are interested - and not because I used to work there.
There are plenty of potential applicants, but I suspect the allure of an external candidate. And who could be more alluring than a very brainy Swiss person?
Bice Curiger is the founder of the hugely respected art journal , a senior curator at the and the recently appointed director of the . She is also the editor-in-chief of and one of the most impressive, clever and interesting people I have ever met.
And then there's Hans Ulrich Obrist, who came top of last year's . Among other things, he has spent his recent past running with Julia Peyton Jones. I don't really know Hans Ulrich, but trust those who have told me that he is top-notch.
It is quite possible neither would want the Tate Modern directorship - but if not them, then who?
An arts journal by 
Comment number 1.
At 8th Jun 2010, John_from_Hendon wrote:Who wants to run Tate Modern?
I do.
I'll turn it back into a power station again and belch smoke and steam all over the City of London!!!!
There arty types don't understand the beauty of industrial engineering. Strip off the glass box and reinstate the grim roof. It will be a sign of the times we are about to live through. Art will take second place to economic survival. In its heyday when it was operating as a power station for London it had a reason and purpose - all that is gone. It is the rotting carcase of the beached whale of our real industrial strength. It is not too late. Both it and Battersea power station must be turned back into power stations providing the vital force for London.
!!!!!!
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Comment number 2.
At 9th Jun 2010, Kit Green wrote:Who cares about art when we don't even know what it is. We know what Tesco is.
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Comment number 3.
At 9th Jun 2010, UK Troll wrote:It may be the world's most visited museum of modern art, but I'd be interested to know how its visitor figures compare to other attractions.
I suspect we might see confirmation that much of the modern art scene is really only of interest to a narrow, self-congratulating clique, who delight in dreaming up more and more outrageous new clothes for the emperor to wear.
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Comment number 4.
At 9th Jun 2010, doginabag wrote:#3 - Tate Modern is the third most popular visitor attraction in the UK, according to this list compiled in 2009:
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