It is meant to represent ‘the nature of beingness and the divisions between people’, but the Tate Modern’s newest art installation has run foul of visitors who don’t quite understand the meaning of the 46 high power lasers that form an impenetrable grid across the Turbine Hall. The laser net has already accounted for three visitors who have been sliced in half, while dozens more have suffered minor injuries.

‘It fills the space wonderfully,’ said a spokesman for the Tate, ‘which is more important than a few minor points of interpretation. What you should remember about a work of art this significant is that it challenges people on both emotional and intellectual levels.’

‘I lost my ear,’ said American tourist, Dwain Hennessy. ‘I don’t normally like art but this has certainly made me think about the nature of ears and why we have them.’

Other visitors share Mr. Hennessy’s view that art can be a life changing experience. ‘It has certainly helped me think differently about blindness,’ said Mary Shalwater, who was down in London for a two week holiday. ‘I’m just not sure I wanted to think this deeply about it.’

The laser grid will be powered up for another month before it begins a tour of galleries across the nation.

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