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A monumental moment

COLUMN BY LISA ROCHON and GRAPHIC BY TONIA COWAN

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 1:51 AM EST 16/11/08

Utterly transforming the Art Gallery of Ontario, Frank Gehry has created an exhilarating work of architecture that honours the art it houses, gives new life to Toronto's downtown, and confirms Gehry's stature as one of the world's great creative geniuses ...Read the full article

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  1. ente EighteenEightyEight from Canada writes: The video seems to be cut off at the end, as it ends mid-sentence.
  2. Anita - from Toronto, Canada writes: What a stunning collection. Can't wait to see it.
  3. Country Gal from Canada writes: WOW, what a great article (and what a CONTRAST to your 'opinion' of the ROM ... ) There is no question that this is a momentous moment in terms of Canadian National Architecture ...

    My criticism, thus far, from what I can glean from coverage at a distance, is this: a) the new AGO logo SEEMS very wrong - block type squished & cramped into a BOX, with that after-thought of swirling colour, gives it a 'grumpy kiddie in a classroom' feeling. It lackes the seeming 'robust' free-flowing NATURAL maculature of the building itself, imho. And b)the Gehry 'dismountable' HIS/HER' chair photos included in your story seem VERY clunky and kinda ODD to be juxtaposed to such a SKILLED historic portrait of painterly finesse. The chairs, in contrast, reek 'rank amateur'. (And WHAT does 'dismountable' actually MEAN vis a vis furniture anyway???? What a strange choice of word ... )

    But hey, very minor criticisms, relative to the WHOLE mind-boggling venture. It is truly an exciting moment. I'd also like to add that the NEW AGO website is a treasure and a MUST-SEE. It has been totally redesigned and is VERY user friendly. Great place to wander and wonder in advance of, or post to, any visit of the site.

    Looks like I will soon be making that horrible highway journey to Toronto to see this seemingly AWE INSPIRING EDIFICE. Congrats are do to ALL for this outstanding ALL CANADIAN effort.

    I do thank you.

    p.s. Can't seem to get the video thingy to work, it keeps firing me off into the promo videos for the adjacent advertisements ...
  4. Country Gal from Canada writes: p.p.s. opps typo - meant 'masculature' ...
  5. nic Thomson from Canada writes: thanks for the article .. your comment about the sidewalk is well taken, the was that the street-car cross cables attach into the building, instead of using free standing poles, is something that should be manditory in toronto.

    I know it's a small point, but have a look for your self
  6. Mocco Phanko from Toronto, Canada writes: Thank You Lisa for such an enthusiatic and inspiring article ... one can only imagine the almost heroic effort of the AGO team.
    Now it is up to us torontonians to make this the success it deserves to be ... we must visit often: with our kids, friends and neighbours and all our out of town visitors, we must participate in the activities, we must volunteer ... we must make the AGO the true home of arts.

    M.
  7. Frank Godfrey from Canada writes: Standing at the corner, taking in Gehry's remake adjacent to Alsop's incredible box - wow ! Shivers up the back. Yes, and what a contrast to the ROM. As stunning and provocative as the Crystal is from Bloor St., did Lieb. even consider the inside of the Crystal ? The AGO team deserves a lot of credit for executing the complete deal.
  8. Kevin Dooley from Canada writes: The gallery isn't done. There are still workers all over the building. There's construction dust everywhere. I question the logic of displaying art in this environment. Why not wait another couple weeks?
  9. Bruno Carlotta from United States writes: RE: the author's comment - "Relax. This is not a stylistic flash in the pan by another architect in designer glasses. Thankfully, for Toronto and the rest of Canada, Gehry's transformation of the AGO is inspired not by personal ego but by allowing for a journey that goes deep into art and the city."

    Let's not be vague here. Rochon is referring to Daniel Libeskind and his pretentious and apallingly tasteless ROM Crystal.

    Libeskind, in designing this mess, showed his total lack of respect for Toronto and its citizens. He does not deserve anonymity in criticism, no matter how obliquely.
  10. Hans Lucas from Toronto, Canada writes: Great video!!! Mr. Thompson is such an eleguent and passionate speaker. Great interviews with all the key people.

    I can't wait to see the AGO - this is going to be an amazing addition to the city and we will all benefit greatly from it.

    Congrats to everyone involved in making this happen!
  11. Brian C from United States writes: Wow! Vertical walls to display art! Now there's a sensible idea. Why didn't Bill Thorsell and the folks over at ROM think of that?

    I feel sorry for the ROM that overpaid for a super-sized lemon. AGO are about to get a gallery. ROM got a monument highlighting not their collection, but Daniel Libeskind's enormous ignorance. AGO is architecture. ROM's 'Crystal' is a pretentious shape that only demeaned an already dignified building by the addition of an irrelevant and capricious design that leaks. - It's interesting that Frank Gehry lives in a home he designed for himself. Can't help but wonder why Daniel Libeskind had to hire another architect to design his own home.
  12. E B from Canada writes: I haven't seen the interior, but driving on Dundas St. during the day, the glass façade looks pretty solid and not transparent at all. There is a feeling of heaviness and monotony that I did not expect. I cross my fingers that the interiors don't disappoint.
  13. GK Cheese from Toronto, Canada writes: While I agree with the dissappointment in Libeskind, I'm not getting it wrt the box designed by Ghery on the park side of the gallery. Its a box, why is it brillliant? The blue colours are awful.
    As for the front, looks like any number of airports around the world.
    I have big expectations for the interior after reading this.
  14. CharmedOnes deVille from Cabbage Town, Canada writes:
    The photograph of the galleria is stunning - masculine but elegant.

    We might just have to take the train to Upper Canada to check it out.

    How's the food in T.O. ? Is the Boulevard Cafe on College St. still good (and still there) ?
  15. INTER NATIONALIST from Toronto, Canada writes: It is a stunning building inside and out.And the collection! The Thomson galleries alone are worth the price of admission.The Canadian collection is breathtaking. The whole experience was spectacular.Cant wait to go back.
  16. Antonio San from Canada writes: I am so glad there are rich people like Mr Thomson in Canada: they are a different kind and that's why the Globe never has anything bad to say about them...
  17. Dan Lang from Toronto, Canada writes: Well we went last night and everything you are reading about the architecture and the collections are accurate. The Canadian art provided by Ken Thompson is stunning. the building probably one of the finest pieces of work Toronto has ever seen. Going back again today. You can't take it all in in one visit.
  18. Plain Jane from Canada writes: Wow, that took forever to open. Here's hoping they extend their "free admission for high school students" to include their next door art school neighbours as well (OCAD). 2.5 hours free once a week isn't enough to see a gallery properly.

    I'd hate to have to skip the AGO because I can't afford it ($10 is a lot for an art student). I already skip the ROM (they don't have a student rate for anyone over 17, and $22 is impossibly expensive).

    Culture in Toronto: nice buildings, but you'd better have money if you want to see inside them.

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