A real head turner; Keith Newton toured mima's new major exhibition which opens today:.

TWO heads set the first challenge at mima's exceptional new exhibition.

On the one side is Gerhard Richter who many believe is the world's greatest living artist, while on the other is his friend, another German artist, Blinky Palermo.

Pictured above, and on the front cover with mima's Kirsty Bullock, their eyes are closed but they appear to be conversation all the time and, as you walk between them, will you break their streams of thought? As you pause to ponder the answer you have been hooked by Modern Times.

The heads are rare, very rare, examples of Richter's sculpture. They have also been very rarely seen yet are one the most written about and referred to of his works.

"He began working as an artist in the Sixties and has been ahead of the game for nearly five decades," says Gavin Delahunty.

He is one of the curators at mima, Middlesbrough's Institute Of Modern Art, where more than 50 works by the 77-year-old German master have just gone on display in four ground floor galleries until November 15.

Each room has a distinct theme - the first presents monochrome and abstract works; the second features the rare Richter head sculptures; Room 3 showcases a number of abstract paintings; and Room 4 showcases a series of 30 rarely seen drawings.

Between them they feature paintings, pencil and graphite drawings, oil paintings on paper, over painted photographs, a remarkable glass feature, and the sculptures.

The exhibition draws heavily on Artists Rooms, a new national collection of 725 pieces donated to the National Gallery Of Scotland and the Tate by Anthony d'Offay.

The works cost him more than pounds 26m down the years and he generously accepted an identical sum for them. They are actually now probably worth more than pounds 125m.

Gavin and mima have added further pieces from American and European institutions and collectors including a beautiful set of rare drawings, many of which have never been exhibited before in Britain.

"It's mainly a display of the many different styles of painting by Richter," says Gavin Then there are the mysterious 11 pieces of leaning glass called 11 Panes.

You work out what they show as you look into their subtle distortions - which some think stretch to infinity.

Mima's director, Kate Brindley: "It's an exhibition that's never been seen to such high depth in the UK before. It's slightly unexpected, full of new dimensions and adds a new layer to the exhibitions we have had here.

"We're very proud to have the work of the world's greatest living painter on show and to have his stamp of approval on it is amazing."

There are a number of free talks linked to the exhibition, including one with the generous and influential Anthony d'Offay who will be in conversation with Keith Hartley, chief curator and deputy director of the Scottish National Gallery Of Modern Art in Edinburgh, from 6.30pm on Thursday, October 22.

Modern Times: On show until Sunday, Nov 15. Mima is open 10am-5pm Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat; 10am-8pm Thurs; noon-4pm Sun. Closed Mondays. Admission free. For more details, call mima on 01642 726720.