The Crystal Palace Report

I visited Toronto June 9-12. The occasion was the opening of the new Royal Ontario Museum crystal/iceberg. Due to special connections I was able to attend the staff and family and friends event.

My assessment: impressive. It is an entertaining, odd, detailed building. The inside is full of nooks and slanted windows and long views through space. It should be appealing for children to visit. On the other hand, odd angled support poles and walls jutt out into the rooms, leaving me to wonder if they will soon be painted bright yellow and laden with warning signs and protective barriers to keep people from knocking their heads and stubbing their toes.

There was one particularly funny corner where a low ceiling of about 4 feet came down at the edge of a room. There was a see-through under this ceiling where you could look out over the scene one level below. The only way to look out though, if you were not under 4 feet tall, was to bend over. Thus, several people went to look out this spot, showing nice views of their bums and legs from behind, sans torsos. Too bad I didn't take a picture of that.

Many of the rooms were empty of exhibits, meaning now is perhaps the best chance to see the spaces before they are 'furnished' with antiquities and such.

My brother and his friend were terrific companions for the evening. We started with a dinner of Korean stew on Bloor Street., Later we had dessert in the top floor of the crystal, where ice cream was served with add-your-own hot fudge, oreo bits, and smarties. Mmmmm.