At the architectural opening of the ROM’s Michael Lee-Chin crystal, contorted myself to peer through steep shafts and oddly placed crevices in the sci-fiesque structure.
The new wing opened on Saturday, June 2 with a free outdoor concert and tours.
According to Marketing VP and U of T alumnus Ania Kordiuk, every inch of the jagged crystal was meticulously engineered.
“It was all done by computers,” she said. “It is breaking all engineering rules,”
Bill Moffatt, who graduated from U of T’s architecture program in 1954, admired the building.
“It has very attractive spaces. We have enjoyed seeing the sculptures on the old building that used to be hidden in the courtyard before,”
His wife Ann added, “The displays on the stairs are excellent, yet seem accidental.”
Kordiuk echoed the ROM’s-and city planners’-hopes that the crystal could be a new landmark for Toronto.
ROM CEO William Thorsell wants it to be a public gathering place.
“Rather than many galleries and museums where there are only uncomfortable benches, this place is meant for people to hang out, discuss and appreciate,” he rapped.
Some critics were dead-set against it. A young tourist from L.A. liked the blend of old and new, but felt the architect was trying to be too edgy (pun intended).
“You don’t need a crazy gallery room,” he said. “You need to focus on the art.”
