The creation of the Shibboleth, the infamous Doris Salcedo contribution to the Unilever Series, was shrouded in mystery. In the eyes of sporadic visitors, it just appeared as if one day the Turbine Hall cracked open. Speculations as to how the 548ft crack had been built spread like wild fire in the media as well as in the conversations of people milling around the work.
Today I witnessed part of the process aimed at making the crack disappear with a mix of trepidation and disappointment. I still don't know for sure how the work was made and that was part of its charm, but its disappearance is made accessible to everybody. Indeed, the men filling it with concrete are doing so in plain view. Let's hope that whoever fell in it is found before the process is completed.
Even if you don't get to visit Tate Modern over the next few weeks it takes them to repair the trace left by seriously disruptive art, you will still be able to see the outline of the crack by the difference of color between old and new concrete. Doris Salcedo sure left her mark on the Tate: the Shibboleth will remain while other Unilever projects come and go. I believe that qualifies as a monument....
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