Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art

When you visit the Baltic you find that there is a very ecclectic mix of visitors, from students and critics of contemporary art, to tourists, to just regular working class Geordies who have decided to pop in during a stroll along the Quayside. This is what I like best about this place as you can hear all different kinds of comments as you walk round. You might over hear very informed and ‘deep’ comments from some people like “oh, the resonance of the yellow shades are so thought-provoking” and you might also hear “Well, it all looks like a load of squiggles with a banana on top to me.” I think this is where the value of Baltic lies, as both comments are can be valid. Art isn’t just for people educated about art, it’s for everyone interested in art. You don’t have to understand something to like it and you don’t have to like it if you understand it. I think the Baltic does try hard to be inclusive, something at which the Sage has failed miserably.

Go if you like contemporary art. And if you don’t like contemporary art, or don’t understand it, go and laugh at the art and the people who claim to understand it.

_{Sorry, paperfaerie, I just don’t get it.}