 Website: Royal Ontario Museum Location: Museum Film at NFB
The startling combination of new and old, can be controversial as the addition of the odd angular-shaped Crystal to the rectangular Royal Ontario Museum. Like an aging woman who gets a facelift where some marvel at the change and some deride, the ROM Crystal Museum sits in its unique combination along Bloor Street West. The entire process was documented in film by Director Kenton Vaughn, including interviews with the visionary head ROM director and CEO William Thorsell, the funding sponsors such as Michael Lee-Chin and fundraising efforts, the architect Daniel Libeskind, its expensive over-budget construction and engineering feat, the ROM staff, and the general public's opinions. For those who like history and architecture, this film on the museum shows the insider viewpoint which is worth watching, although in the Q & A, the ROM staff and director admitted to editing or blocking some of the private confidential information about the renovation. Mixed opinions about its existence and cost still go around the city of Toronto and whether it will be worth it in increased attendance considering all the attention it generated from the start. Controversial shapes in architecture where angles stick out oddly make it difficult for some displays, including the increase in light on sensitive objects which breakdown at too much light. Locals will probably go just to see the building but it does need new exhibitions too to keep them going in and not just standing outside. There are other historical buildings that get a modern renovation inside while retaining the old facade, such as the MARS building on College Street. But adding a crystal shape looks like it crashed and attached itself to the building. When some black rocks are cracked open, there are colour crystals inside. Will the ROM eventually add more modern new objects to their collections to suit this new addition to its structure? Mixing old and new objects can work within such a combined structure as expectations from its outside can reflect on its insides. The past, present and future of world history can be displayed and both young and old can marvel together.
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