The sight of a Donald Judd sculpture doubling up as a climbing frame for a toddler has caused a stir today, but the Tate Modern isn’t always against a spot of clambering… Here are some exhibitions and installations that have positively encouraged people to get on board.
The Endless Stair
A highlight of the London Design Festival, Alex de Rijke’s tulipwood steps outside the Tate Modern last September had visitors scaling the installation for a good view
Robert Morris: Bodyspacemotionthings
This fully interactive exhibition (22 May–14 June 2009) was a re-creation of a controversial show at Tate from 1971. The original exhibition closed after just four days because of the ‘over enthusiastic response of the audience.’

Photo: James Smith www.thisistomorrow.info
Carsten Höller’s ‘Test Site’
Höller turned the Turbine Hall into a playground in 2006, installing a set of high, twisting slides and encouraging visitors to stop looking and take the plunge (10 October 2006–15 April 2007)

Photo: David Olivari
Climb Away
Art Installation at Southbank Centre’s Festival of the World Photo: Jim Linwood
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The sight of a Donald Judd sculpture doubling up as a climbing frame for a toddler has caused a stir today, but the Tate Modern isn’t always against a spot of clambering… Here are some exhibitions and installations that have positively encouraged people to get on board.
The Endless Stair
A highlight of the London Design Festival, Alex de Rijke’s tulipwood steps outside the Tate Modern last September had visitors scaling the installation for a good view
Robert Morris: Bodyspacemotionthings
This fully interactive exhibition (22 May–14 June 2009) was a re-creation of a controversial show at Tate from 1971. The original exhibition closed after just four days because of the ‘over enthusiastic response of the audience.’
Photo: James Smith www.thisistomorrow.info
Carsten Höller’s ‘Test Site’
Höller turned the Turbine Hall into a playground in 2006, installing a set of high, twisting slides and encouraging visitors to stop looking and take the plunge (10 October 2006–15 April 2007)
Photo: David Olivari
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