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Frank Gehry design at the AGO.

A Quick Visit to Toronto for Art and Architecture

Sometimes, last minute travels are the most rewarding. With no time to stress over details, the spontaneity of jumping on a plane without any real plan is liberating.

Last weekend, I was able to go on one of these adventures to Toronto for art and architecture, as well as to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. My mom had made plans to go visit relatives, and asked me if I wanted to come along at the last minute.

It was a lovely few days. One of the most wonderful things about Canada, I think, is its vastness and diversity, and this trip showed me an entirely new region of the country. I will focus on Toronto in this post, and up next, talk about my visit to Niagara!

 

Toronto architecture
An interesting mix of architecture on a busy Toronto corner.

 

I started my trip by spending an afternoon in Toronto. It was my first time in the city, and I can say that it caught me off guard. I am used to big, busy cities, but this felt like a concrete jungle! Still, there were many interesting architectural details and a unique mix of old and new buildings that lent the city both grit and charm.

We stopped by at the Art Gallery of Ontario before dinner. There was the most wonderful sculpture outside.

 

Toronto Art.
A very cool sculpture outside the entrance of AGO.

 

The gallery had an impressive, extensive collection, and I would definitely recommend setting aside a day to tour it if you have the chance. There are a range of exhibitions; cultural and historical exhibits, classic Canadian group of seven collections, modern photography, and even model ships.

Sadly, we only had an hour, but I was able to check out a photographic exhibit of Patti Smith’s polaroid collection, as well as a photographic portrait collection. I was a bit disappointed with Patti Smith’s work, as it seemed to rest on her “star status” more than photographic proficiency. Still, it was interesting.

The portrait collection was impressive though! The exhibit juxtaposed modern portrait photography with early photographs, and it was presented in an interesting, thought provoking way. Unfortunately, no photography was allowed in either exhibit. However, I did manage to snap a picture of this unique architectural detail in the main entrance which was designed by Frank Gehry, a famous Canadian architect who oversaw the redesign of the AGO.

 

Toronto-Art-and-Architecture
A grand room in the AGO as designed by Frank Gehry.

 

That was all for my brief stay in Toronto, but it was the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Up next, my visit to Niagara!

June 7, 2013 By Stefanie Bartlett 8 Comments

Filed Under: All Aboard!, Canada, Events, Ontario, Our Travelers, Specialty, Stefanie Bartlett Tagged With: architecture, Ontario, Toronto

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The Wanderfull Traveler

    June 13, 2013 at 8:32 am

    I was able to visit Toronto and Niagara in May. I enjoyed Toronto and was able to visit AGO – the Renaissance exhibit they featured was amazing and it was such a rewarding experience to see all the Group of 7 paintings that I studied and wrote many essays on in University.

    Can’t say I enjoyed Niagara Falls too much but Niagara-on-the-Lake was very lovely – lots of antique shops all around.

    Murissa

    Reply
    • Erica Hargreave

      June 5, 2014 at 5:55 pm

      Always enjoy perusing the work of the Group of 7 Murissa.

      And while your sentiments on Niagara echo my own, I have been told recently by Mariellen Ward that I must do the walk behind the Falls. Apparently it is quite an impressive experience.

      Reply
  2. Cam

    December 29, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    is that a cat sculpture?

    Reply
    • Erica Hargreave

      January 1, 2015 at 7:05 am

      I don’t think so. Which one are you referring to?

      Reply
  3. joseph

    June 24, 2015 at 5:39 am

    beautiful article, makes me want to put Toronto on my next destination line. i do a lot of random trips and they are very enjoyable.

    Reply
  4. Empire

    October 16, 2015 at 5:53 pm

    I love Toronto!!!

    Reply
  5. Stuart Wright

    June 10, 2016 at 6:25 pm

    very nice i`d love to visit Toronto one day 🙂 it has some beautiful and modern architecture

    Reply
  6. Abe

    June 27, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    I love the sculpture outside of the AGO. I would love to incorporate something like this in my abstract art coming out soon!

    Reply

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