For the past month, museum and gallery outings have somehow become a regular outing for my coworker and I. Starting from the Bata Shoe Museum to the AGO to the Free Tuesday Nights at the ROM, the trips have revolved primarily revolved around the downtown area on mandatory office days.
Upon observing an ad for Aga Khan Museum's 10th anniversary celebrations, I presented the prospect of a weekend visit to my coworker. The two-day event would include complimentary admission to the Main Floor of the museum, as well as $10 discounted admission to a rotating immersive exhibit, LIGHT: Visionary Perspectives. Her enthusiastic response led us to plan for a Saturday sojourn.
Upon observing an ad for Aga Khan Museum's 10th anniversary celebrations, I presented the prospect of a weekend visit to my coworker. The two-day event would include complimentary admission to the Main Floor of the museum, as well as $10 discounted admission to a rotating immersive exhibit, LIGHT: Visionary Perspectives. Her enthusiastic response led us to plan for a Saturday sojourn.
We'd travel separately, given that we were coming from opposite directions. While the TTC had miraculously enabled her early arrival, my commute along the 403, 401, and DVP were nowhere near as smooth. Congestion upon congestion - plus a car lodged in a ditch - had resulted in nearly sixty minutes of driving.
By the time I exited the DVP, I was more than ready to call it a day. Aga Khan Museum was not located in convenient coordinates whatsoever.
By the time I exited the DVP, I was more than ready to call it a day. Aga Khan Museum was not located in convenient coordinates whatsoever.
Google Maps had directed me to the underground parking garage. In fear of paid parking being enforced, I exited the loop and entered through the main access path. There, members of security directed me back to the garage, confirming that the gate would remain open and my stay would be complimentary.
Re-routing back to the garage, it was indeed confirmed that neither a key pass nor proof of payment would be required. The drive aisles were incredibly narrow - and even narrower still in the presence of the local population's abnormally large, wide vehicles. Behind the wheel were those possessing the most obscene maneuvering skills observed in suburban Toronto. At the very least, plenty of security had been positioned on site to facilitate traffic flow.
Re-routing back to the garage, it was indeed confirmed that neither a key pass nor proof of payment would be required. The drive aisles were incredibly narrow - and even narrower still in the presence of the local population's abnormally large, wide vehicles. Behind the wheel were those possessing the most obscene maneuvering skills observed in suburban Toronto. At the very least, plenty of security had been positioned on site to facilitate traffic flow.
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The below-grade garage would connect to Aga Khan via a sloped corridor illuminated with LEDs and Museum highlights. A numbered ticket was bestowed upon me by a member of staff at the top of the corridor.
Residing on the basement level would were bathroom facilities along with servicing rooms. These stalls were noted to be far cleaner and more spacious than those on the ground floor, likely due to frequency of use.
Residing on the basement level would were bathroom facilities along with servicing rooms. These stalls were noted to be far cleaner and more spacious than those on the ground floor, likely due to frequency of use.
Residing on the basement level would were bathroom facilities along with servicing rooms. These stalls were noted to be far cleaner and more spacious than those on the ground floor, likely due to frequency of use.
The Main Floor featured common art and culture institution elements of a ticket booth, gift shop, and plenty of signage promoting celebratory activities and performances. In spite of the museum's tall ceilings, the establishment merely spanned one floor and a half (the secound level did not utilize the entire floor space) - the decision to replace additional exhibition grounds with tall glass windows for light appeared to be intentional.
The Main Floor featured common art and culture institution elements of a ticket booth, gift shop, and plenty of signage promoting celebratory activities and performances. In spite of the museum's tall ceilings, the establishment merely spanned one floor and a half (the secound level did not utilize the entire floor space) - the decision to replace additional exhibition grounds with tall glass windows for light appeared to be intentional.
I gradually made my way towards the exterior of the building. Upon stepping outside, I was met with the most breathtaking courtyard - Aga Khan Park. Although my drive from the west had been grey and dreary, the skies of Toronto had revealed cloudy swirls against a backdrop of luminous blue. Sunshine could be even be perceived sporadically bits of the stay. Weather was perfect.
Truly remarkable was the scene that lay before me: an unobstructed view of Aga Khan Museum and Aga Khan Park, surrounded by fountains so clear that the skies and sophisticated architecture were reflected with utmost clarity. The contrast of off-white tile, glass, shiny waters, and lush shrubbery had me starstruck. Elegant yet lively, I found myself strolling about the aisles with absolute awe and admiration.
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Basking in the magnificence of it all, I had momentarily forgotten about providing my coworker an update regarding my arrival. We soon found one another outside the main entrance, though, then decided to head inside for the 12 PM Cake Cutting.
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