A couple of days after Christmas, I went down to Toronto again to do a bit of shopping and check in at a place I haven't been in for several years. From the sidewalk in front of my destination, I snapped this shot of the church on the far corner. This is the Anglican Church Of The Redeemer. It dates back to the 19th century and contrasts quite well with the modern buildings beyond it.
The reason for my visit? The Royal Ontario Museum, or ROM as it's often called. I visited from time to time growing up, fascinated by the collection (it probably spoke to the archaeologist I might have been), but I hadn't been inside since the last set of renovations, which contrast (not in a good way) with the original aspects of the building, which dates back to 1914.
This metal and glass monstrosity is called the Crystal, meant to evoke the crystals that spring out of rock. It just ends up looking out of place against the stone of the original building, as far as I'm concerned.
Still, it's what's inside the building that actually counts. Tomorrow we'll start taking a look inside.
Incongruity seems to be spreading these days
ReplyDeleteWhat a contrast !
ReplyDeleteI wonder how long the Church will stay there...
Eesh!
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope the church will stay for a long time, it's pretty (and I like the little remnant of snow on the roof!)
ReplyDeleteI'm not too sure I like or dislike the "monstrosity". I'd need to see more of the contrast! Looking forward to going inside!
What a surprising location for a church- I am amazed it survived all the buildings around it.
ReplyDeleteYep...that definitely is a monstrosity!
ReplyDeleteWhen I drove past it for the first time,I thought it looked as though it was collapsing. Uuuuuuuuugly!
ReplyDeleteJane x
Very freakish.
ReplyDeleteI hope what is inside outweighs the outside. MB
Looks as if the addition to the museum could come crushing down at any moment. ;-)
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh, it reminds me of our monstrosity downtown, the art museum http://monroega.blogspot.com/2014/01/historic-city-market.html i heard it's supposed to look like a viking ship? what? it doesn't blend in well at all with the historic buildings downtown, i don't know anyone who likes it, and what do the vikings have to do with roanoke?
ReplyDeleteThat is a most unusual addition to that building.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite a contrast!
ReplyDeleteI was never so fond of the ROM. I think the AGO did a much better job of marrying old and new.
ReplyDelete@Gerald: it does!
ReplyDelete@Karl: I think the church is safe... for the moment.
@Revrunner: my thought exactly!
@Ciel: sometimes with buildings like this architects get it right. Other times they blunder spectacularly.
@Chrissy: I might be wrong, but I think the church sold some of the land around it, hence the office buildings beyond it.
@Norma: it doesn't agree with me!
@Jane and Chris: it's better inside though...
@MB: Oh, yes it does.
ReplyDelete@Merisi: that's the impression it does give.
@Tanya: if the Vikings ever made it as far south as Virginia- not out of the realm of possibility- archaeological proof has yet to be found.
@Sharon: unusual is being generous!
@JM: and not in anything resembling a good contrast!
@Halcyon: it's been a long time since I've been in the Art Gallery. Another place I'll have to go see the next time I'm down there.
Love the church! The museum? Not so much. A shame renovators feel they have to tack on stuff.
ReplyDeleteAlas, that is true.
DeleteFantastic architecture in the last picture. So nice. THX.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteSize-wise the addition does seem a bit overwhelming. Of course there is a similar controversy with Pei's pyramid at the Louvre but at least it is not so big. Anyway, I hope the exhibitions inside are worth it.
ReplyDeleteThey are.
DeleteHow could they?
ReplyDeleteStill after all these years, a shame.
DeleteI can see how this place could spark controversy, quite the contrast! Hopefully the museum contents are less controversial:)
ReplyDeleteThe Museum is good, but the addition is not. Strangely I've seen the architect's work elsewhere, and I have no issue with it.
DeleteI need to withhold judgment. When I.M. Pei proposed to install a glass pyramid in front of the Louvre, I thought he was wicked and the city fathers who permitted it were mad. Now it looks like it has always belonged there> I am trying to give some of these modern things time before I judge them, just in case they needed a little "soaking" time to fit their site.
ReplyDeleteThat can be the case with some architecture.
DeleteThe church looks outstanding being surrounded by all the tall modern building. I quite like the 'crystal' , is eccentric and perhaps just needs time for people to adapt to its existence.
ReplyDeleteI still don't like it.
DeleteSomehow I overlooked this church during our visit, but the ROM crystal was certainly a standout.
ReplyDeleteI imagine you came by car and probably straight up from the garage.
DeleteAt first I didn't like the ROM's new look but now I admit it is growing on me. ;)
ReplyDeleteNot me.
DeleteYou've been on the road! I went to nursing school in Toronto and enjoyed my couple of years in the big city very much.
ReplyDeleteAt the time I paid a visit to Southern Ontario.
DeleteIt is truly an ugly addition to the grand old lady.
ReplyDeleteI've always been conflicted about that corner with the church, but it could have been so much worse.
I agree.
DeleteThe old church surrounded by massive glass buildings reminds us of how our taste and scale for grandeur have changed so wildly.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
Delete