The Art Gallery of Ontario opens its modern doors
By Tomitheos
15 Nov 2008
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) re-opened after a $276-million transformation. The AGO was realized by the Toronto-born architect of the world, Frank Gehry, building on the generous $100 million dollar gift of the late Ken Thomson's unparalleled collection of Canadian and European art.
The AGO building expansion transformation is being supported by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund and actually began in 2002, but the museum closed its doors for a year for its completion and the exciting televised ribbon cutting ceremony took place today with Toronto mayor David Miller greeting the new guests that were anxiously awaiting to enter the modern architectural wonder that is gracing central Dundas Street near Toronto's west end.
Sonja Koerner director CEO says: " the architecture restoration was an integral part of the art installations and the programming."
Directors Michael and Sonya Koerner honoring the gift of over 2,000 works by the late Ken Thomson in the internationally acclaimed Thomson Collection featuring seven artists first time seen in Canada along with his generous donation that helped highlight the event.
A whole series of new exhibitions are mounted throughout making it an exceptionally well endowed gallery. There were many collections - Canadian art, European art, Pablo Picasso paintings, sculptures by Henry Moore and many more interactive modern mediums like auto robotics and life-size televised installations. The interesting twist in my experience was the use of my ipod to interact with some of the artwork on the 3rd and 4th floor.
