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| - For a self-proclaimed 'cultured' man, I've only recently became a member at the AGO.
I am mostly a homebody when in North America, but not even the most tightly threaded sheets and thickest walls could keep me indoors during the Picasso exhibit. One week after visiting, I spent an hour on the phone with a flamboyant call agent who eventually seduced me into a 'plus one' membership. Now I can enjoy the glorious art in Toronto premier art gallery in the company of any guest I please (as long as they're willing to go with me).
I never the scale of which Toronto is able to host major art exhibitions. Throughout the year, tours of some of the most infamous pieces of art make their way to Toronto. But what's even more overwhelming to me, is the art not advertised that are housed in AGO's facilities.
The statue of the Think Man, that big painting of the things that happened in Rome...and many other historically significant pieces of art that I can't name.
Then there's the facility itself. Mostly minimalistic in design, hardly appropriate for an gallery for a city of Toronto's scale. But The Thompson Collection area is quite a different story. There are a pleathora of great photo opportunities, although not every spot in the gallery is camera permissible.
There is a members' only club at the rear of the building which serves casual drinks and light snacks. But I've only been interested in it's alcohol menu, which should be improved. The waiters there are somewhat artistic themselves, in terms of how they decorate their..face..
The club is very quiet, aside from a lady in her 80's walking around offer a tour of the club, which used to be the private residence of some of Old Toronto's most prominent figures and socialites. The land even has connections to Bishop Strachan, which carries personal significance to me, NOT (just) because there's an all girls' school named after him.
At the entrance there is the gallery gift shop which shelves many books, novelty items, and ridiculously overpriced tableware. There is also a jewelry section selling very ugly merchandise. Through the gift shop you'll find FRANK, the gallery's restaurant. The design to the restaurant is horribly retro-esk, as if Andy Worhol had some kind of personal connection to designing the space. I hate Andy Worhol, by the way.
But the food is not bad, and the service is...not bad either.
There is a downstairs area where coffee or tea can be purchased, the service there is just about the worst I have ever encourtered anywhere in Toronto. It's absolutely appalling how nonchalant the woman behaves when giving you your coffee cup and telling you that the coffee is to your right side. The simple task of her job seems to gives her certification to act as engregiously as she please.
I think Wednesdays are free to the general public, and lines tend to get rather long. I strongly recommend purchasing a membership. It's much better and expedient service, and it just makes better sense fiscally.
The gallery struggles with funding, I can see it in their newsletters. But if given the proper attention, the AGO had great potential to become a world class facility. I honestly believe this.
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