If you ever find yourself in Toronto, you have to absolutely visit the Royal Ontario Museum aka ROM. If not for what's inside but for what's outside. In 2007, the ROM unveiled 100,000 square feet of new exhibition space, a new entrance and lobby, a street level retail shop and three new restaurants all under the name of "Michael Lee-Chin Crystal." Every Torontonian had and still has an opinion on this architectural enigma. Personally, I don't mind it and the more time I spend around it, the more I think, "I really really like it." If a meteor were to ever crash or aliens take over buildings, this would be the result. Maybe that's silly but there are so many boring, cookie cutter buildings around Toronto that this magnificent structure stands out, mixing the past and the future. It turns heads. It sparks conversations. It leads to an emotional reaction. That's how architecture should be. It should take you out of your comfort zone and make you scratch your head in curiosity. Yesterday, hungry husband and I decided to check out the gift shop (the wait was too long to get in). I'd say the gift shop could use some work. Our goal was to find art. Maybe some prints and maps to adorn our walls but the choices were minimal. Despite that, it was fun to walk around and soak in some culture, check out books and artifacts. I've been to the ROM many times and plan on visiting another weekend when the line ups aren't crazy. I took some pics to inspire you. Make a travel note and check out the ROM... or just walk around the building a few times.
That's Hungry Husband as my model & muse...
Reflections...above and below...
