The development includes a Mediatheque where visitors can watch archive films, a gallery for temporary exhibitions, and three cinema screens (formerly the National Film Theatre).
But, MOMI's original designer, Neal Potter, described the £6.2m development as 'very disappointing'. He told Museum's Journal there was a lack of context and interpretation. 'MOMI could educate and entertain so many people and now it is an office block with a small Mediatheque. It's good to have those facilities, but not at the expense of an internationally renowned museum.'
Another source close to the museum said they thought it was a 'shame' MOMI had closed, and questioned whether the public would want to use the archive when they could download many of the films from the internet at home.
But Leslie Hardcastle, a founder of MOMI and now a governor of the BFI, said that the BFI Southbank was not a substitute for MOMI, and was something 'completely different'. He said he would like to see MOMI revived because it was 'very successful and very interesting'.
The BFI closed MOMI in 1999 because 'the costs didn't justify us keeping it open', said a BFI spokesman.
There were no plans to put exhibits from MOMI on display in the new development, he said, although some of the film posters from the museum would be displayed in an area at the back of the building. The remainder of the MOMI exhibits had either been returned to donors, lent out, or are in storage. Some, including a model of a Dalek, are now at the National Media Museum in Bradford.
BFI Southbank is the first phase of a larger project and the BFI last month appointed property consultant Drivers Jonas to complete an options appraisal and feasibility study on developing a National Film Centre in time for the 2012 Olympics.
The BFI is describing the new development as a 'test-bed' for the centre, which it would like to be located on the South Bank although it is also looking outside the capital. One reason for the proposed move is because of plans to put a tramlink on the South Bank in 2013, which would affect the current premises.
The BFI's spokesman said that the infrastructure of the current building is 'becoming outdated', and 'by that time we will be unable to provide the level of facilities that we need'.
The full scope of the new project has yet to be decided, but the BFI is said to want it to include film theatres, a library, access to the BFI archive, flexible exhibition space, seminar and education facilities, offices and catering space.
Patrick Steel
But, MOMI's original designer, Neal Potter, described the £6.2m development as 'very disappointing'. He told Museum's Journal there was a lack of context and interpretation. 'MOMI could educate and entertain so many people and now it is an office block with a small Mediatheque. It's good to have those facilities, but not at the expense of an internationally renowned museum.'
Another source close to the museum said they thought it was a 'shame' MOMI had closed, and questioned whether the public would want to use the archive when they could download many of the films from the internet at home.
But Leslie Hardcastle, a founder of MOMI and now a governor of the BFI, said that the BFI Southbank was not a substitute for MOMI, and was something 'completely different'. He said he would like to see MOMI revived because it was 'very successful and very interesting'.
The BFI closed MOMI in 1999 because 'the costs didn't justify us keeping it open', said a BFI spokesman.
There were no plans to put exhibits from MOMI on display in the new development, he said, although some of the film posters from the museum would be displayed in an area at the back of the building. The remainder of the MOMI exhibits had either been returned to donors, lent out, or are in storage. Some, including a model of a Dalek, are now at the National Media Museum in Bradford.
BFI Southbank is the first phase of a larger project and the BFI last month appointed property consultant Drivers Jonas to complete an options appraisal and feasibility study on developing a National Film Centre in time for the 2012 Olympics.
The BFI is describing the new development as a 'test-bed' for the centre, which it would like to be located on the South Bank although it is also looking outside the capital. One reason for the proposed move is because of plans to put a tramlink on the South Bank in 2013, which would affect the current premises.
The BFI's spokesman said that the infrastructure of the current building is 'becoming outdated', and 'by that time we will be unable to provide the level of facilities that we need'.
The full scope of the new project has yet to be decided, but the BFI is said to want it to include film theatres, a library, access to the BFI archive, flexible exhibition space, seminar and education facilities, offices and catering space.
Patrick Steel
