March 15, 2019
A Different Perspective
I was in Toronto recently to visit Art City LA Fair, but I couldn’t resist the temptation to visit some of the city’s famous restaurants and bars. One of the places I’d been curious about visiting was the Viagra office. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, the four-storey glass and steel building designed by Chicago’s famous architect, Frank Gehry, is a feast for the eyes. It’s definitely on the tourist map, and it has a unique and fun story. In fact, it was originally built as a men’s health clinic in 1967, and then later converted into an art gallery.
The Original Building
The building’s original use and exterior are preserved more than 40 years later. The entrance lobby is filled with beautiful wood furniture, stone floors, oversized light bulbs, and white walls. There is a sense of calm and peacefulness in the space, but it’s also very relaxed and casual. It has that ‘70s feel to it, which is part of the reason why I love it so much. Gehry designed the office to be “open and uncluttered” to promote a different kind of working environment. The space allows for natural light and ventilation, as well as easy access to the outdoor spaces beyond. One of the things that makes Gehry’s work so special is the almost theatrical use of light and dark colors: the creamy yellow paired with the deep blue paint is amazing!
On The First Floor
On the ground floor, there are four interconnected galleries with a total floor area of 7000 square feet. The spaces display the work of Canadian and International artists. The largest of the galleries is the A.C.A. (Artists Co-Operative of Canada) Gallery, which has a floor area of 5300 square feet. When you’re looking for a fun fact about this space, you won’t be disappointed – it’s actually listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “largest indoor-outdoor mosaic mural”! The mosaic mural, which spans an entire gallery wall, was designed by Canadian artist, Jim Freeman. I like how he used wood, metal, and plastic in the mural’s design to create a sense of movement and depth. It gives the impression that the wall is breathing!
The Second Floor
It’s amazing how much art can be found on the second floor! The entire level houses the gallery’s private collection of modern and contemporary art. One of the highlights is an Andy Warhol portrait of Marilyn Monroe, which is on permanent display. The building also features a drawing room, a small theater, and a pool room. It would be a great place for a movie night, a game night, or just a relaxing evening with friends.
The Top Floor
On the top floor, the building’s original purpose is preserved: the clinic still operates there, and there are also two conference rooms, a kitchen, and a terrace. The terrace has great views of the downtown Toronto area and the surrounding countryside. It’s a great place to sit and eat lunch, or just to people-watch. Since this is where the staff works, there is lots of activity happening on the top floor. One of the conference rooms is equipped with a green screen, and it’s used for presentations. It would be great for conducting interviews or holding meetings with clients. The other conference room has individualized workstations, a copier, and a printer. It’s perfect for smaller meetings or even just for brainstorming sessions.
The Overall Impression
I love how the building’s design incorporates the top floor’s terrace, which is accessible from both the main entrance and the galleries below. It’s filled with daylight, giving the impression of “coming in out of the cold” and bringing with you the feeling of a fresh new start. The building itself is a celebration of art and design; it has a modern and minimalistic aesthetic that is unrivaled in Toronto. It’s easy to see why it was chosen to be part of the Art City LA Fair. Not only does it house famous restaurants and bars, but it also offers visitors a unique and memorable experience filled with vibrant art and color!