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| - Impatiently waiting for over a year, I was ecstatic to check out the new AGO. I finally had the chance to go this past week and have a LOT to say...
I have always appreciated and been a supporter of the AGO. I love art, I love museums and the AGO holds a special place in my heart and has for many years. I had a strong attachment to the old art gallery, but am happy to say that the new AGO is wonderful!
Famed Canadian architect Frank Gehry was to completely change the face of our art gallery, and he did so in several ways. The entrance has a much grander feel to it now than in the past. You enter from Dundas now and the curators galore are more than esteemed to help guide you inside. People were milling about everywhere and I kind of felt like a kid in a candy store; I was excited to be there, but I didn't really know where to start!
Upon entering, you'll notice the huge gift shop to your left and washrooms/coat check/etc to your right. In front, are a number of stair cases and one very windy ramp presumably for people with wheelchairs.
(side note, any one can use it, of course. To elaborate on the windiness and length of this ramp I learned that night that it was a sound architectural decision made to make the ramp this way due to the degree of incline required to make it firstly, up to code and secondly, for function-for those with wheelchairs to be able to go from level one to level two at the entrance....just in case you were wondering why it's so windy. Of course, function is only part of this design).
There are several new rooms and each has a collection to discover. One of my favourites was the room with the stair case that allowed you to see the art from ground level and then from above, as if in a grand hall or living room. The Canadian collections are all still present and there are several new additions and themed rooms.
There are 5 floors, two of which hold art, and the other three floors are used for shows, events and /or galas. There is also a new restaurant attached to the gift shop and all in all, the feel of the AGO is the essence of grandeur.
What most people will notice is the outside transformation. The wooden and glass reno is a true work of art all to itself. It exemplifies what an art gallery should look like. Inside, looking out to Dundas, you are surrounded by gigantic wooden beams and panels, floor to ceiling length. I learned that no two beams in the entire renovation are the same, which is quite remarkable on its own, and as an architectural feat.
I felt like I was inside an ark or a wooden vessel of some kind. It was amazing to watch the other people there and how mesmerized they were by the new AGO. It is this building that can give Toronto a rank as a world-class city. As I walked through the rooms of the AGO I couldn't help but think that if only we invested more effort into making our city as compelling as the AGO. Looking and being immersed in such beautiful works of art made me wonder why we can't take pride in all of our buildings in this city. The AGO is really spectacular.
Last thing to mention; the price for adults is $18. Wednesday nights are free from 6-8:30 and the AGO is closed on Mondays..
Enjoy!
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