Toronto Aga Khan Museum + Ismaili Centre | ?m | ?s | Aga Khan Dev. | Maki and Associates

[Tewder]

I think I've made my point, though happy for good-natured debate in another thread. This building is clearly beautiful and I'm sure what is on display will be too so I'm pleased for those who take justifiable pride in it.

 

[canmark]

Finally got a chance to visit the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre. Combined with the lovely gardens (due to the time of year the trees were bare and many of the shrubs were being wrapped in burlap, hence the need to revisit next spring and summer), this site is a wonderful showpiece for Toronto, a destination that should attract both locals and visitors.

Designed by Fumihiko Maki, the Aga Khan Museum has a clean, simple Japanese aesthetic, with plenty of Islamic touches in the use of geometric patterns and designs. An open-air courtyard in the centre of the building allows for natural light in the main foyer and hallways, while protecting the gallery spaces from direct sunlight. In addition to large permanent and temporary galleries, there is a theatre (for performances), offices, a restaurant and caf̩. The permanent collection features a wide array of historical artifacts Рboth secular and religious Рfrom Islamic civilizations throughout the world. The temporary galleries are currently featuring some contemporary art, as well as ancient artworks. Photos and descriptions of the collection highlights are available on the Museum website: https://www.agakhanmuseum.org/

Two tours are offered: one of the galleries and the other of the museum itself and its architecture. I took the former, but would enjoy seeing the latter which is more about the architecture and site. I had lunch at the Museum restaurant (very good).

Those wary of the “religious” nature of the Museum and Ismaili Centre need not fear. The galleries are no different than what one might see at the ROM, and there is no proselytizing at Ismaili Centre, which is as much a community centre as a place of worship.

The Ismaili Centre offers free tours (which can be booked online, although we were accommodated as walk-in visitors) given by volunteers (I think my guide said she was a pediatrician at Sick Kids, as well as an Ismaili Muslim) who are proud and welcoming. While the Museum and religious buildings may be of the highest quality, they are also very simple and modern and without the ostentation associated with other religious groups. The Ismaili Muslims use the term “jamatkhana” as opposed to mosque or masjid.

Charles Correa’s design for the Ismaili Centre echoes the Japanese simplicity of the Aga Khan Museum – white walls, light-colored wood, lots of windows. But where the Museum is very rectilinear, the Ismaili Centre is full of angles – rooms are shaped like polygons, some windows and skylights and the frosted glass “dome” of the Prayer Hall are angular). As a place of worship I would have expected a building with a lavish and ornate decoration, but the style here is very simple and clean – like a modern library, university building or community centre. In addition to the glass domed prayer hall (photography is allowed in the building, but not the prayer hall – you can see a photo of the prayer hall in this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rizwan-mawani/illuminating-the-ismaili-_b_5892948.html), there is an airy multipurpose room (for events, lectures), classrooms, a library, lounge, and the Council chambers – a bright boardroom-type room on the second floor with adjacent outdoor deck. Much of the artwork are modern pieces commissioned for the building, mostly involving calligraphy done in a contemporary way.

This place is well worth the drive out to Don Mills. I highly recommend it to UT fans.

My photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/canmark/sets/72157649187325201/

 

[interchange42]

Yup, it's a beautiful, intriguing collection of buildings and objects. Even worth the TTC ride out to Don Mills.

42

 

[ehlow]

Thanks for the review & photos canmark. It's definitely on my to-do list.

 

[walli]

Looks like the Aga Khan Museum has been Best Institutional Building of 2014:
http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2014/12/best-buildings-2014-mid-rises-look-your-votes

On a related note, there was a great article in the Globe and Mail about an exhibition that opens there tomorrow. I wrote about it in the out and about section:
http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/showth...itions-at-Toronto-museums?p=959879#post959879

 

[walli]

Impressive internal view of the Ismaili Centre Toronto's prayer hall!

From Domus Magazine's cover via Moriyama & Teshima Architects' twitter feed:
https://twitter.com/moriyamateshima/status/552121466561388544

I think this is one of the only images where the back-lit stones from Central Asia that form the mirab are shown with the lights on.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Impressive internal view of the Ismaili Centre Toronto's prayer hall!

From Domus Magazine's cover via Moriyama & Teshima Architects' twitter feed:
https://twitter.com/moriyamateshima/status/552121466561388544

I think this is one of the only images where the back-lit stones from Central Asia that form the mirab are shown with the lights on.

Thanks for posting that - it's certainly the first image I've seen of prayer hall interior at night. Stunning, as expected.

AoD

 

[DtTO]

Impressive indeed. How is the glass supported? I don't see any support structures.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

There is a steel frame hidden underneath the glass - supported at the base by a ring beam. Apparently the whole assembly have millimetre-level tolerances and was manufactured in Germany, taken apart and reassembled here, where our trades had difficulties matching the required level of exactedness.

AoD

 

[pdcstream]

I'm a bit surprised that nobody had posted this yet, considering how well this thread is kept abreast of news about the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre. On Friday, Jan. 9, Breakfast TV paid a visit to the Museum. I've been lurking for some time now at UT so it's about time I registered and at least contribute something. Here is a link to five short videos from BTV's visit:

https://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2...t-television-toronto-live-at-aga-khan-museum/

 

[walli]

I'm a bit surprised that nobody had posted this yet, considering how well this thread is kept abreast of news about the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre. On Friday, Jan. 9, Breakfast TV paid a visit to the Museum. I've been lurking for some time now at UT so it's about time I registered and at least contribute something. Here is a link to five short videos from BTV's visit:

https://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2...t-television-toronto-live-at-aga-khan-museum/

Thanks!

I'm seeing many of these (you guys may have figured by now I have particular interest in the museum) however I've slowed down posting as there really are an amazing number of articles on the museum, and from beyond Canada - it is really amazing.

Here is one from the Wall Street Journal yesterday:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/rethinking-islamic-art-1421191187

Many of these articles are quite thoughtful, and do reflect on the larger (and global) mandates that the museum has placed on itself. I always knew the objective was an international institution, but I figured that would happen over time. It seems to me it is already being reflected on beyond Canadian borders as a particularly important civilization place of exchange and education.

 

[walli]

Boston Globe showering praise on Canada's new cultural jewel

This is yet another noteworthy article:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyl...J1Ok6xdEHYBUoTDlHjnM/story.html?event=event25

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

At Door Opens 2015:

AoD

 

[argus]

"Gorgeous" is the first word that comes to mind.

Thanks for the photos.

 

[Benito]

Really beautiful. I need to go and see it.