The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Government minister marvels at ‘awe and wonder’ of V&A
Culture secretary gets first look around since cutting sod on construction
The V&A at Dundee will inspire “awe and wonder” in visitors, a top Government minister has predicted.
Scottish Government culture secretary Fiona Hyslop visited the waterfront museum for the first time since cutting the first sod on the Kengo Kuma-designed building in 2015.
She was given a tour of the building by V&A director Philip Long and representatives of Dundee City Council, including administration leader John Alexander
Ms Hyslop said: “Its amazing. I cut the first sod and haven’t been back since, so to see it inside it was a great privilege.
“I got a real sense of the awe and wonder people will get walking around it.”
The visit took place after a debate held in Parliament last month, in which Ms Hyslop highlighted Dundee’s contribution to Scotland’s cultural life and reached cross-party backing for the city’s bid to become 2023 European Capital of Culture.
She said: “Both the museum’s opening in 2018 and Dundee’s bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023 will give a welcome boost to the city’s tourism and culture economy, further promoting our cultural and design heritage and benefiting the whole of Scotland.
“I was in Brussels last week speaking to one of the Capital of Culture judges and singing Dundee’s praises.”
Dundee City Council leader Councillor John Alexander said: “I’m delighted the cabinet secretary has had an opportunity to see for herself the impressive progress that has been made on this stunning building.
“We are a city with big ambitions and V&A Dundee is already attracting huge interest and creating excitement across Scotland and beyond.
“Our bold bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023 highlights the drive and determination locally to use the arts as a way of creating economic and social benefits.
“The development of V&A Dundee is a symbol of how the city is reaching out to tell its story to a wider audience.”
Mr Long added: “Scotland has been a nation of incredible design creativity for centuries but many of these stories are unknown or underappreciated within our own country. V&A Dundee will showcase this incredible history.
“Through working with our colleagues in the V&A, we will also bring world-class exhibitions to Scotland, putting Dundee on the map.”
The construction of V&A Dundee is on schedule for opening in 2018, with major progress made recently on removing the temporary cofferdam which enabled the museum to be built out into the River Tay.
Japanese designer Kengo Kuma will visit the V&A next week.