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TRANSFORMATION AGO:
Grand Opening of New Building
Members' Preview Days November 9 to 11
Public Opening November 14 to 16,
2008
The Art Gallery of Ontario held its Grand Opening of its new building designed by locally born architect Frank Gehry. The Members' Preview Days were from
November 9 to 11 and the free Public Opening were from November 14 to 16, 2008. The Member's preview days consisted of many events including the press
conference, the Leadership Dinner which was held on Wednesday November 12, 2008 for leadership donors and the Artist Party which was held on Thursday
November 13, 2008.
Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry's first Canadian building, the AGO has 110 light-filled galleries featuring more than 4,000 new and perennial favourite
art works. "Through Frank's remarkable design, the new AGO declares itself and what it stands for — a joining of the art museum and the city, an open
invitation to enter and participate in something memorable and exciting," says Matthew Teitelbaum, the AGO's Michael and Sonja Koerner director, and CEO.
"The architecture, the installations and the programming clearly say you can imagine yourself here, that we're glad you are here."
Signature new elements of the new building include a sculptural staircase emerging from Walker Court (the historic centre of the AGO), the Galleria Italia
with its dramatic sweep of glass and Douglas fir that extends an entire city block along Dundas Street, and the new contemporary tower with its vistas of
Grange Park and the city. The growth of the AGO's permanent collection will be a focal point of the Gallery — from the much-loved Group of Seven to the art
of world cultures, from David Altmejd's monumental installation The Index to Peter Paul Rubens' masterpiece The Massacre of The Innocents which was a
highlight of the internationally acclaimed Thomson Collection. The late Ken Thomson's unprecedented gift of more than 2,000 works will extend the visitor
experience far beyond what was possible before our transformation: "It is a gift for the ages," says Teitelbaum. "Ken was steadfast in his belief that
Transformation AGO was a journey to be shared by many — a gallery built by our community to serve our community. His vision will be realized when we open and
his magnificent collection will be a legacy for generations to come."
The Leadership Dinner was held on Wednesday November 12, 2008 at the AGO.
From 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm a cocktail reception was held for leadership donors who have donated more than $500,000. Some expected VIP guests included:
artists Edward Burtynsky, Giuseppe Penone, David Almejd and Frank Stella, Glen Lowry, director of MOMA and former director of the AGO and many other VIP in
the artist world!
The grand opening of the new AGO was a huge success!! The AGO added to its collection which is now impressive.
For interesting contemporary art, interesting people and a great party, mark your calender for the Leadership Dinner 2009! Click on this page for more
information and events at the AGO!!
the New Building
Leadership Dinner
Photographs by G.C. Eyre & Article by C. Smith © 2008 All Rights Reserved