DUNDEE’s new V&A opens its doors to the general public this morning after a weekend of music and celebrations that attracted thousands of people to the city centre to mark its opening.
TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and Dundee-born actor Brian Cox were among those who attended the official opening, along with excited city secondary school pupils, supported by young person’s mentoring charity Breakthrough.
Cox said it was “amazing” to be back home for the opening: “Those of us who are close to the city and who are close to what is going on here, it’s a very emotional experience.
“I’ve known the city for many years, I was born here, went to school here and had my first theatre roles here, so to return and see what’s happening now – it’s transformed the city.”
Kelly, who has lived in Dundee, said: “It’s so exciting – and everyone from all over the world is talking about Dundee. I’ve been saying this for years. There’s so much to shout about and we really should shout about Dundee – our time is well overdue.”
However, she criticised an under-construction office block – site six – adjacent to the museum. “I don’t like that office block though,” she said. “I understand they need things like it but they could have done a better job.”
Kelly’s criticism followed comments by Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde, who said the building “distracted” her during her performance at Slessor Gardens last week.
She told BBC Scotland: “In the daylight I noticed this quite beautiful building in the background, which I didn’t realise is the V&A building, and this horrible carcass going up in front of it.”
“I was walking down Union Street there and I saw the V&A again, a really beautiful vista of it and this monstrosity that’s totally obliterating the view of that beautiful building. I would have it torn down. There should be some sort of uprising against it.”
Will Gompertz, the BBC’s arts editor, was equally scathing: “Fortunately, you don’t get to see what’s going on just over the road to the north. But you will when you go outside.
“And with your sensibilities at their most aesthetically tuned after an hour or so in the museum you will be appalled by what confronts you.
“The new railway station-hotel combo is ghastly. As is the crass looking rectangular block being built to its side. There are, I am told, plans for more of the same in a £1bn regeneration of Dundee’s Waterfront. Oh dear. What a shame. What a missed opportunity.”
A petition against the mixed-use site did gain some support earlier this year, but it won backing from V&A Dundee architect Kengo Kuma. “My building was always designed to complement and harmonise with its surroundings and the adjacent developments,” he said.
“It was never designed in isolation and was always meant to be part of a built environment with a flow of people and buildings with other uses in proximity.
“Dundee Waterfront is a stunning location and the planned developments will create a thriving platform for the city’s ambitious regeneration andan appropriate backdrop for the V&A.”
Inside the V&A itself, few people paid much attention to what was going on across the road.
Shannon Balfour, 17, a Morgan Academy pupil, said: “Being part of the opening ceremony makes me really proud and happy that I was invited to do it.”
Scott Regan, also 17, added: “It’s a real privilege to have been asked to be part of this. There are so many other young people in Dundee who could have been asked and it’s hard to describe how I feel about it – it’s just amazing.”
Wendy Maltman told The National: “I’ve been in the Scottish Design Galleries – I think it’s a really diverse collection and it’s good that they’ve shown a lot of Scottish history as well as modern designers. I like some of the jewellery, the textiles and the fabrics. There’s such a lot to see, to I think I’ll be back, a lot.”
Visitor Andrea said: “We had no idea what it would be like inside. We were curious and it is so amazing,” while her five-year-old daughter Gabrielle, added: “It’s good, beautiful and huge.”
V&A Dundee director, Philip Long, said he was proud, excited and keen to keep the opening days’ momentum going. “We’ll work very hard to keep the museum as something people want to visit and be excited to be part of for many years to come,” he said.
“Of course, the opening weekend is a special moment for everyone, but we’ve got a great programme for the future.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel