An Art Museum. A Museum of Light. The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada.

Opened in 2014, it’s now one of the most beautiful spaces in Toronto. The architecture is world class. The exhibitions go from interesting to amazing, but for me the stars of the Aga Khan Museum are the building – designed by Fumihiko Maki (Japan) with local assistance as the architect of record from Moriyama and Teshima (Toronto) – and the park with its amazing pools designed by landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic.

One of the reflective pools in the park at the Aga Khan Museum, beautiful and beautifully designed by Vladimir Djurovic. © Canadian and World Tourism/Cactus Rock New Media Ltd.

Light and reflections are everywhere at the Aga Khan Museum. Brilliantly designed by Maki, light and reflections enhance the experience, rather than distract the visitor. Amazing! © Canadian and World Tourism/Cactus Rock New Media Ltd.

Exhibitions
The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto offers “visitors a window into worlds unknown or unfamiliar: the artistic, intellectual, and scientific heritage of Muslim civilizations across the centuries from the Iberian Peninsula to China. Its mission is to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the contribution that Muslim civilizations have made to world heritage. Through education, research, and collaboration, the Museum will foster dialogue and promote tolerance and mutual understanding among people.”

What is this, you may wonder? It’s a rug! More like an amazing work of art by Aisha Khalid. This is the other side of the rug. The rug’s patterns are made with thousands and thousands of colored pins. See front below. © Canadian and World Tourism/Cactus Rock New Media Ltd.

On my visit, I had the pleasure to see an Exhibition on the history and transformation of Istanbul “A City Transformed: Images of Istanbul Then And Now,” as well as another one called “Marvellous Creatures: Animals in Islamic Art.” Both exhibitions were very good, but being my first time at the Museum, I found the Aga Khan Museum’s permanent collection much more interesting and fascinating. Anyone interested in art and the history of the world and the various Muslim cultures will enjoy the permanent collection. Thank you to Ms. Sayyeda Masood for the tour.

“Your Way Begins on the Other Side” by Aisha Khalid. 2014. Aga Khan Museum. Gold-plated and stainless steel pins on velvet and silk. © Canadian and World Tourism/Cactus Rock New Media Ltd.

The Permanent Collection. Aga Khan Museum. Toronto. The collection merits another blog post. Coming soon. In the meantime, if you are in Toronto with time to spare or if you’re planning a visit to the capital of Ontario, I highly recommend you visit the Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Drive, Toronto, Ontario M3C 1K1, (preferably on a sunny day)!

Source: canadianandworldtourism.com

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