New culture secretary attends unveiling of second in Unilever Series at Tate Modern

Niall FitzGerald was accompanied at the unveiling by the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell, Tate Director Sir Nicholas Serota and the artist, Juan Muñoz.

The installation, titled 'Double Bind', by the renowned Spanish artist, dramatically alters the 155metres long x 35 metres high (500 x 115 feet) Turbine Hall space by creating a spectacular split-level work, playing on perspective and illusion, visibility and invisibility.

For the Unilever Series commission, Juan Muñoz has created a new architectural space within the Turbine Hall, into which he has introduced a number of intriguing scenarios designed to involve visitors. The installation is divided into two parts. On the upper level the visitor sees a patterned floor through which two elevators rise and descend. The floor appears to be pierced with a series of large black holes or shafts, some of which are illusions. Below, pools of light fall from the shafts. Moving further into the lower space it becomes apparent that these are inhabited by a cast of sculpted figures.

Niall FitzGerald commented: " Juan Muñoz has created an extraordinary sculpture that will fascinate, challenge and delight visitors. The Unilever Series aims to support Tate Modern in developing new art in the 21st century and, as a business that needs to be free-thinking and creative, we are delighted to support art that pushes back boundaries, stretches minds and challenges audiences.

"With this amazing work, Juan Muñoz has risen to the challenge set last year by Louise Bourgeois, with the spectacular sculptures that she created for the inaugural Unilever Series. We are proud to have enabled two such wonderful works of art to be realised and look forward to offering the opportunity to other leading artists to create work for this exciting space."

The five-year, £1.25 million sponsorship from Unilever enables Tate Modern to commission and exhibit large-scale works in the Turbine Hall each year over a five year period until 2004. The inaugural Unilever Series commission by Louise Bourgeois - three spiralling towers and a gigantic spider - was unveiled at the opening of Tate Modern last year.

Around the world Unilever companies invest over £30 million annually in community involvement projects including support for arts, education, economic development, environment and health projects.

For further information about Unilever or The Unilever Series, please contact:

Gwyneth Shore:
telephone 020 7822 6628
fax 020 7822 6532

Sue Meeson:
telephone 020 7822 6304
fax 020 7822 5128

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