Profile The largest part of FuturePlan Phase 2 is
the Exhibition Road building project, which has been designed by AL_A (Amanda Levete Architects – see p26). The project will create a large, underground exhibi- tion gallery area, a public courtyard with a café and spaces for events and instal- lations, and an improved entrance into the museum from the newly landscaped Exhibition Road. This will all be set within the historical facades on the west side of the V&A’s Grade 1 listed buildings, which have never before been on public view. “It’s a new V&A,” says Roth. “I hate to say
that, because it’s so easy to label some- thing as new and improved, but in this case it’s true. The visitor will have a completely different experience walking into the museum, with its beautiful courtyard, stair- case and exhibition space.”
BRITISH IMPORT Roth has been interested in museums since he joined the industry in 1989 in his home country of Germany. His role at the V&A is his first job in the UK – he was director general of the Dresden State Art Collections for the last decade, where he reconstructed four museums, reinstalled many collections and created an inter- national role for the museum, leading to numerous overseas exhibitions. Roth loved his time at Dresden but had
reached the stage where he felt he needed a fresh challenge. The call from the V&A was perfectly timed and also extremely unexpected. “I thought they must be ring- ing me about something else,” recalls Roth. “My first reaction was ‘But I’m German’, and they said ‘It doesn’t matter, we want to talk to you’.” Roth was “thrilled” to be offered the post and didn’t hesitate in accepting, moving his family to Islington and starting a new life here. His wife grew up in London and has family here so they have settled in quickly. “The way I was received over here is one of my highlights,” he says. People are so warm and welcoming. And to be the first non-British director is extremely brave. Not for me,” he stresses, “but for the board. It’s a great statement for Europe, for the world community in London and for the UK. I don’t take that for granted – I feel as though I’ve been given a medal.”
What are your hobbies? Actually, my hobby is my work What’s your favourite food? Cake. Preferably home made What’s your favourite film? Billy the Kid with Pat Garrett and the score done by Bob Dylan What drives you? Passion for my profession How would you describe yourself? Energetic, with a healthy curiosity How would others describe you? I never eat and I drive too fast What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Someone once told me: “The higher you get, the deeper you fall.” I’ve never forgotten it
Roth credits the support and profes- sionalism of the team to helping him feel completely at home in his new role. “When I walked into the V&A on my first day, I felt as though I’d been here for years,” he says.
“I’ve never had that before in a new position. It gave me a lot of confidence, as I knew I was where I should be.”
PRIVILEGED POSITION Martin views his position at the V&A as a privilege rather than a job, despite a 4.30am start and a working day that rarely ends before midnight. “I get up very early
“To appoinT a non-BriTish direcTor is exTremely Brave of The Board and is a greaT sTaTemenT for europe, for The
world communiTy in london and for The uK. i don’T TaKe ThaT for granTed. i feel as Though i’ve Been given a medal”
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so I can have some time at the beginning of the day for myself – running or writing – and then I take my 15-year-old daughter to school,” he says. “I work through the day til about 8pm without a break. Six out of seven evenings there’s an event at the museum or a dinner or reception, so I don’t get home until 11 or 12pm. It sounds horrible, but I love it. It’s so interesting and I meet great people. I’ve been a museum director since I was 36 and I enjoy it all. Of course there are bad moments,” he con- tinues. “When I worked in Dresden in the early 1990s, after unification, there was still a problem with people working for the Secret Service. I had to fire people. It was brutal and I hated it. Unfortunately, with sunshine there is always some shadow. But in general, it’s a great job. “Our role is to deliver complex informa- tion – history, architecture and design – in a way that makes it easier to understand,” he goes on to explain. “The public has
AM 3 2012 ©cybertrek 2012
ABOUT MARTIN ROTH
The Ballgowns exhibition showcases 60 years of a strong British design tradition
PHOTOGRAPHER: TIM WALKER. MODEL: COCO ROCHA
PHOTOGRAPH: DAVID HUGHES
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