There is perhaps no better gift for the Aga Khan, who just celebrated his 78th birthday, than for him to see the fulfillment of his long-held dream of a museum committed to offering insight and perspective into Islamic civilisations and the cultural threads that weave through history.
The Harvard graduate in Islamic history has long been a vocal proponent of pluralism and a champion of development for 50 years through the Aga Khan Development Network across 30 countries, addressing complex issues including the provision of healthcare, education, cultural and economic revitalisation, and advancement of civil society.
– Chin Mui Yoon, The Star Online (Malaysia)
Inspired by Islamic traditions, the Aga Khan Museum Toronto fuses art and architecture in a landmark with collections spanning 10 centuries of history.
By Chin Mui Yoon. Published: Thursday December 18, 2014 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Along the Don Valley Parkway, a major highway 15 minutes north of Toronto, two uniquely angular buildings evoke much curiosity. These are the newly-opened Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre of Toronto. They are dedicated to presenting an overview of the artistic, intellectual and scientific contribution that Muslim civilisations have made to world heritage, as well as a catalyst of education, learning, understanding and tolerance.
“My definition of architecture goes beyond a concern for buildings designed by architects; I see architecture as embracing practically all aspects of our entire built environment.”
– His Highness the Aga Khan, on receiving Gold Medal by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada for his work as a dedicated patron of architecture
On the Aga Khan Museum
At any time, these galleries will exhibit some 300 of the museum’s 1,000-piece collection of Islamic art. One gallery is devoted to temporary exhibitions that will be curated alongside international museum partners such as the Louvre [France] and the Hermitage [Russia].
On the Aga Khan Park
The exterior spaces connecting both museum and the Ismaili Centre are designed to capture the essence of traditional Islamic gardens with a contemporary outlook. A minimalist design of reflecting pools and some 1,200 mature trees, are interspersed with structured, low lying concrete divisions that act as benches for contemplation or quiet conversations ideal for this meditative space.
The park flows out effortlessly with its geometric grids based on a traditional charbagh or foursquare garden. The combination of flat sheets of water reflecting the sky and trees or a snowy white landscape creates an ethereal feeling. As with every other aspect of this project, the details convey a richer meaning – in the gardens, Djurovic has also created a rose garden where the scents and origins of the varieties are carefully selected to express geographic dispersion across the world of the Ismaili community today.
On the Ismaili Centre, Toronto
Across these gardens, the Ismaili Centre is the sixth among a global network of such centres in Vancouver, London, Lisbon, Dubai and Dushanbe.
The Toronto centre’s most notable feature is the stunning prayer hall composed of elegant, structural steel trusses of various depths and dimensions, which are covered by a double layer of glass that required precise fabrication and assembly. The glass rises in the shape of an inverted cone and pieced together to form a translucent fractal skin.
Encircling the hall is a delicate maplewood screen with repeating calligraphic script of the name of God. Beneath the sky, or stars during evening prayers, spirits soar heavenward effortlessly among the faithful who gather in this intangibly divine space.
Discover, Explore and Learn more at The Star Online | Features | To mark the Aga Khan’s 78th birthday, here’s a look at his museum in Toronto
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