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Urban Planner: November 9, 2009
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A wood to-scale model of the Gehry version of AGO.
Like it or lump it, Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry's AGO is calling. For Gehry non-fans, the redesign represents the typical over-the-top, singular view that Gehry is famous for. His AGO - while consciously not affecting the skyline - does change the make-up of the area without much public consult. For instance, the above Transformation Model shows the Ark-like extension over the sidewalk. This, as we understand it, presents a bit of a pickle for public space advocates: while the AGO is a public institution, their encroachment onto the sidewalk of Dundas Street could be seen as intrusive.
But for Gehry fans like ourselves, his presence is invaluable. His upcoming trip to the city is also our chance to hobnob with the famous architect - maybe bounce a few ideas of him. He will speak to media for around 45 minutes next Tuesday, while his exhibit begins on February 18.
And, general admission to the AGO (does not include Gehry) is now free until June. Even with the Transformation, there's a sizable bouquet of art to be seen.
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boo hoo for these public space advocates. Monsterous advertising signs or tv's on the subway platform are one thing but a cantilevered glass wall?
Screw them. They should be more pissed at the new power plant scheduled for the waterfront docklands.
Pourquoi "Musée des Beaux Arts?" Depuis quand has this city had pretentions towards le French launguage?
I don't know if arching over a sidewalk constitutes encroachment in a negative sense. It changes the space but it could even improve it.
Okay, has anyone been down on Dundas where the AGO is located? Hardly a plot of land that might be ruined, defaced, or made hidious by a building designed by Gehry. Sometimes I really don't understand Toronto. It so desperatly wants to claim world class city statues and when actually there is an opportunity to become one, everyone gets all freaked out. Encroachment onto the side walk!? The insanity of it all. What about the crime of humanity which is built all along the waterfront? Because it is condos that will surely make Toronto a world class city.
I had the chance to visit the Guggenheim in Bilbao a few years ago. That place is insane. I may have peed myself just a little bit. I think I shot two rolls of film and tortured all of my friends with the pictures. Let's just say I am no photographer.
Talking about toronto cultural events ... did you guys cover the Toronto Public Libraries' recent fundraising attempt?
(http://www.keeptorontoreading.ca/)
Do you know of a specific public-space advocate who is upset about this design, or are you just guessing? There are clear benefits to the public space here: the glassed front will open up some galleries to those outside, and the anchoring of streetcar power lines to the building will reduce the number of poles on the sidewalk.
As for "without much public consult", is that again just a guess? A year and a half ago, the AGO had a set of models in their basement that showed a series of iterations of the design. The look of the front facade evolved noticeably, the tower portion was rejigged to preserve the Sculpture Atrium, and the addition's Grange Park face was completely redesigned. It was my understanding this was all driven by public complaints on the original design.
i've never guessed at anything in my life, matt l. and i also never wrote that anyone was "upset." besides, i think it would be really strange if every single person in the city was a gehry fan. don't you, matt l.? there are lots of people who don't like gehry, and that is something you will have to reconcile within yourself, not on comment boards. i personally love the redesign.
Sorry. Bad day. You're quite right that you didn't actually say whether public-space advocates had come out to oppose the street-overhang design or not. I picked up that assumption from others but should have checked it against the original post before adding my comments.
This is beyond dispute, there will be more buzz around this than ever before, people will flock to it for many yrs to come, of course, Gehry was constrained by the design-by-committee residents, wtf? they are living in chinatown and downtown, if they don't see the upside in having a gehry design across the street than they should consider moving as the property will go up in value once the newAGo opens. Trust me, people will go to the AGO, more exhibit space, more interest - this is all good for torontonians even if you don't like the design the art will reveal itself bigger and better than before.
As a self proclaimed public space advocate there are FAR worse things for us to be concerned about than Frank Gehry's design "intruding" on Dundas. In fact, like someone else said in the comments it might actually improve that particular corner. Personally, I'm more worried about continued ad creep from billboards, badly designed garbage bins and video screens distracting drivers than Frank Gehry spiffing up the AGO.
Hey Ron Nurwisah. Do you know how many people were murdered in Toronto last year? Or how many women were sexually assaulted?There are lots of FAR worse things for us to be concerned about than public space. Get in touch with the rest of us when your pet-cause is no longer trendy.
Thanks for dismissing the hard work that we, and hundreds of people do as just a "pet cause." I care about this city, and the public space advocates I know care too. I also happen to care about the safety of women, gun violence, the environment, poverty, homelessness. I've chosen to focus my energies on public space issues and not on the dozens if not hundreds of other worthy causes out there. I really think it's counterproductive for you to be attacking me because you think my cause is less worthy. I don't think anyone wins when you do that.
Is it "trendy" right now? Yes, I admit, it is. But part of that is because I think the people in this city really care about where the city is going, what it looks like and who controls the streets, sidewalks, squares and parks. Will I still be doing it after it's not trendy anymore, yes, as long as I live in this city. I know people who did it before it was trendy. And believe me there's nothing trendy or exciting about sifting through city council minutes, looking at by-laws and bugging city councillors about billboards, bus shelters and crooked lazy developers.