AGO's Gehry redesign is 'needless destruction': Tanenbaum
Last Updated: Tuesday, March 9, 2004 | 12:00 AM ET
CBC Arts
TORONTO - One of Canada's leading arts patrons has resigned his seat on board of directors of the Art Gallery of Ontario in protest over its $194-million renovation plans.
Joey Tanenbaum, who's donated more than $90 million to the gallery over the past 35 years, sent a letter to gallery CEO Matthew Teitelbaum Friday. In the letter, Tanenbaum described the renovation project as "needless destruction" and "a blatant attempt to eradicate the recent history of the gallery."
The new glass and titanium design, created by acclaimed Canadian architect Frank Gehry, calls for the elimination of several spaces created during renovations in 1993, including the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Atrium, the Max and Anne Tanenbaum Gallery of 20th-century art and the Tanenbaum Centre of European Art.
"We can't just sit by and watch while they destroy the most beautiful space in Toronto," Tanenbaum told the Toronto Star. "It's only 16 years since we put up the money for [the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Atrium]. And Walker Court is going to be wrecked with that terrible new staircase."
The letter was also sent to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Culture Minister Madeleine Meilleur and each member of the gallery board.
"We're disappointed and perplexed this has happened," board president Charles Baillie told the Star. "We are going to respond to Joey's letter and work hard to win him over. We'll put a lot of effort into it, because the Tanenbaum family has been remarkably generous."
At the much-anticipated design unveiling in January, the Toronto-born Gehry noted to a packed audience of art officials, politicians and media how he was excited to be redesigning something for his old neighbourhood.
"The big, big change," he added, "the most important part of the design, is how it reforms and rebuilds this institution."
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