Transformation AGO (5s, Gehry) COMPLETE

[wyliepoon]

I was near the front of the line to get into the AGO (I stood in line in front of Shop AGO the whole time), so I was one of the visitors who got to shake hands with the AGO's "welcoming committee".

I was never much of an AGO fan (I go to the ROM way more often than the AGO), but I really like what I saw at the AGO. The new upper floors look really great with the high ceilings, contrasting with the galleries on the lower floors. The stair overlooking Grange Park, OCAD and the city looks great in itself (especially when lit at night) and the views from it are spectacular. The Galleria Italia is a very nice space, and will rank up there with Calatrava's Brookfield Place Galleria as one of the best designed interior spaces in the city. Same goes for Walker Court, although I would like to see it lit up more in the evening. I don't really have anything to say against the design.

One thing that I didn't enjoy, however, was the photography ban. I've been to a number of museums and art galleries, and aside from the AGO, the only one that I went to where photography was not allowed was the Guggenheim in New York. I took a ton of photos at MoMA in New York, where photography was allowed in almost all galleries. The AGO's ban seems all the more strange since it is actually encouraging people to share photos of the AGO through Flickr, which to me sounds like a mixed message.

Video of the countdown to the re-opening of the AGO, and then getting inside

My AGO Photoset on Flickr

Highlights...

Joining me in the line were two Asian ladies who showed themselves to be 100% "Millerites".

 

[interchange42]

Six Opening Day Photos

It was an hour and 20 minute line-up for me to get in today, and once I was in, I was pleasantly surprised that the place did not feel crammed. Some spots were busy, but it looks like the AGO will be able to fit hordes inside comfortably.

It was good to run into CDL.TO and Wyliepoon on their first AGO tours!

42

 

[ShonTron]

I will likely miss the opening, but plan to spend a day later exploring the architecture and the art. Thanks for the pics.

NYT has a front-page review in section C in today's Saturday edition. Also a slideshow on the web article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/15/arts/design/15gehr.html?hp

 

[yin_yang]

wow...very unelegant to match OCAD. kind of ugly, but bearable at the same time.

 

[andrejeffry]

Can someone take the picture of Ruben's 'The Massacre of the Innocents' in its permanent place? please, please, pwwety please?

It's becoming one of my favorite old master's paintings.

As they said for art gallery, the building architecture is not supposed to distract people from the art collection

 

[Logan]

Thanks for the update Wyliepoon. My only gripe right now are those bare concrete columns at the entrance. They look absolutely terrible!

wyliepoon

 

[alklay]

Thanks for the update Wyliepoon. My only gripe right now are those bare concrete columns at the entrance. They look absolutely terrible!

Agreed. They look filthy and unfinished. Following through with the beautiful douglas fir, whether with beams or cladding, would have been so much better.

 

[Edward Skira]

Anybody going today? Wondering if there's going to be massive lines to get in. I want to go but spending hours in line with my 2 year old just isn't going to happen. Please report if you've been there.

 

[mysteryman]

Sunday morning is probably the best bet. Lines are guaranteed this weekend though

 

[syn]

I haven't been there yet, but people have told me to expect at least a 1 hour wait, with 1.5-2 hours possible.

I would think Sunday would be quite busy too, especially with the gallery closing at 5:30pm.

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

I went over on Friday around noon and was stunned by the line. I have a feeling this weekend will be crazy, so take an umbrella and a book if your patient enough to wait it out.

 

[adma]

I suppose the bare columns are meant to be "aesthetic", much like the stripped interiors of the reno'd Hilton at Univ + Richmond...

 

[TonyV]

A thank-you to all who have posted (or posed for!) pictures. I haven't seen this gorgeous reno in the flesh yet because I've been a little bit disabled lately, and haven't been able to leave my home. I will recover, then I'll take a walk over and tour the place.

I love what I see in these pictures!

 

[Tuscani01]

Sunday morning is probably the best bet. Lines are guaranteed this weekend though

Then again, sunday is also the Santa parade... There will be thousands of out of towners in the city probably trying to take advantage of the free admission.

 

[3Dementia]

I love what I see in these pictures!

^ ditto... the pics look sublime. Sometimes we spend too much time moaning (as B. Myers is no doubt doing) about getting a famous carbuncle inside of a stand-alone sculptural Bilbao... but the guts are the most important part of the rebirth... and the guts look like they deserve some glory.