Village Squire, 1980-02, Page 6Bice Retrospective.
With the opening of the new gallery at the forks of the
Thames, another substantial collection of Canadian and
international work will find its home in the London Regional Art
Gallery.
This is the collection of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. (Jake) Moore. Mr.
Moore is chairman of Labbatt's Ltd. The Moore collection was
given to the gallery through the Ontario Heritage Foundation
and will be on view when the new gallery officially opens.
The 450 paintings, sculptures and graphics in the collection
include outstanding works by Candian artists since Emily Carr,
as well as works by Picasso, Matisse. Toulouse-Lautrec and
Kandinsky.
Another interesting exhibition which will open at the new
gallery May 6 is "The Keyboard", an exhibit of replicas of
historical musical instruments crafted by Tillman Steckner of
London. Not only will this be a visual exhibition, but an audio one
as well, since Sinfonia musicians will be on hand to play on the
handcrafted clavichord, virginal, spinet and harpsichord.
Other opening exhibits include a "fibre" art show which
includes weaving, tapestry and wall hangings as well as an
international exhibition organized by Mr. Forsey called "Ages of
Man".
The "Ages of Man" show will include more than fifty works
borrowed from collections across the country, Represented in
the exhibition will be Claude Renoir, Henry Moore, Goya,
Chaga I and London's own Paul Peel and Maritime artist Alex
Colville.
The man selected to design the new London gallery was
Raymond Moriyama, the same man who designed the Ontario
Science Centre and Scarborough Civic Centre, which has been
called a "gleaming 21st century castle."
Mr. Moriyama has said, in designing the new gallery, "rarely
have we worked with a group of citizens, committee members,
director, staff and consultants more hard working, conscientious
and co-operative." We were delighted and inspired by the
comments and ideas. In many ways, the gallery is a physical
manifestation of the people and this process."
When Mr. Moriyama unveiled his plans for the new gallery at
a council meeting in November, 1976, many Londoners were
somewhat startled by the contemporary design.
The architect told council members he designed the gallery as
a "spot to focus on human activities" and as a building which
would compliment both the Middlesex County Courthouse to the
south and the Labbatt's restoration of homes to the north.
The design he unveiled was a relatively low scale building,
three storeys high, which was almost square in shape and would
fit the contours of the site at the forks of the Thames.
Mr. Moriyama said the public input told him the gallery must
be more than just a curatorial museum, it must help integrate
artists into the community so there must be an emphasis on
broadening the scope, activities and programs for both young
and old in the community.
The architect said he found the quality of natural light and
quantity of clouds in the London area quite different from those
in Toronto and Ottawa. In his final design for the new gallery,
Mr. Moriyama saved the trees on the site and used water and the
sound of water as a symbol of London's forks area.
Londoners now seem to have accepted the reality of the
London Regional Art Gallery. Membership has increased from
1700 to 3100 members recently and there are hopes this will
double before the official opening.
"The controversy over the site is insignificant," maintains
Hetty Aaron, Communications and Special Project Co-ordinator,
for the gallery.
She added, "It should be stressed that people are aware of
A beautiful room doesn't
just happen
It's a marvelous meld of you, your tastes, your lifestyle,
the things that are truly important to you
and your family.
And of us, the talented professionals who have the
know-how to put it all together.
Our experience as a growing studio has taught us
that while our imagination, resources, and
expertise are vital,
knowing you is equally essential.
So let's get acquainted soon.
Come. Or call us for an appointment
Exclusive • Fabrics • Wallcoverings • Furniture • Art & Accents
SHOWROOM: 128 Albert Street, Clinton 482 38'71
PG. 4 VILLAGE SOUTAtIFEBRUARY 1980
r•