Thursday, January 15, 2009
The new Photography policy at the AGO
The art gallery of Ontario (AGO) is in my neighborhood; in fact I can see the new building from my window. During the last three years while undergo a $300 million make- over by star architect Frank Ghery. Many of us in the neighborhood had to put up with the noise and having one side of the Dundas Street and Beverley Street closed which been great inconvenience for us live and work in the area. When it finally reopened I was excited to have a preview and was impressed with the new added spaces and displays but best of all was at the view of downtown it provided at the new building facing the Grange Park, Since I took many photos of the city I live in I thought it would be a good idea to renewed my membership after a long absent. Right there I took out a family membership because I wanted to invited friends to visit when they come to Toronto.
Sadly, this new made over also comes with a new Hollywood superstar attitude too. As the first time I returned with my new membership. No sooner than I took out my camera, a surely young security rudely asked me to delete my photos and informed me there are no photos allowed in the gallery. If I been caught taking any more photo I will be ask to leave the gallery! As I explained to him I was only taking photos of the outside and not any art in the gallery. No matter, there are no pictures allowed in the building!
I been to many museums all over the world, this is the first time I encounter such strict rule. Many allowed photography to museum own collection as long as no flash used. The only photo restriction usually applies to travel exhibitions.
The painting “Mona Lisa”, no doubt is the most famous and valuable paintings in the world, visitors at the Louver are allowed to take photo of it which only add to its appeal and the popularity.
I been to the AGO countless times, there were not many art I wanted to snap a photo of, most of the art were either under dim light or in glass cases. I did remember the Henry Moore sculpture gallery was popular with tourists to snap some photos.
When I was leaving I ask the woman at the ticket counter about this new photo policy, she gave me a stunning reply “ the architect Frank Ghery consider himself as an artist so all his buildings are copyrighted and therefore no photos allow anywhere in the building”.
However, at the end of December 2008 the AGO announced on their site of the “relaxed photo policy”, now photography of the building is allowed as long as art was in the shot.
I think the real reason for this new “relaxed policy” regarding photography at the AGO are more likely because they finally realized was un-enforceable and also creates ill wills with the paying public.
We are at the age of almost everyone own a digital camera or a camera cell phone. With museum security outnumber by the visitors, it is rather easy to snap a photo or two when the security not around or looking.
Let not forget, it was early 2004, some $1.5 million worth of miniature ivory sculptures on loan by Ken Thomson were stolen right under their nose when it was open to the public with security in full force.
One summer, I was working in New York and during the 4th of July weekend. Since I did not know anyone in the city, I decided to spend my three days holiday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in order to explore the many galleries. After my second visit there, I noticed the Japanese Gallery was close as the day before. On the third day, I inquired about this at the information desk, the nice gentleman told me it was closed due to not enough security on staff that weekend. Amazingly, without asking any questions about me or the reason why I wanted to see this gallery, he just picked up the phone and within minutes, a security been sent down and to open the gallery just for me! Not only I was allowed to take photos and I was told to take as much time as I wish.
Thank You Metropolitan Museum of Art!
Sadly, this new made over also comes with a new Hollywood superstar attitude too. As the first time I returned with my new membership. No sooner than I took out my camera, a surely young security rudely asked me to delete my photos and informed me there are no photos allowed in the gallery. If I been caught taking any more photo I will be ask to leave the gallery! As I explained to him I was only taking photos of the outside and not any art in the gallery. No matter, there are no pictures allowed in the building!
I been to many museums all over the world, this is the first time I encounter such strict rule. Many allowed photography to museum own collection as long as no flash used. The only photo restriction usually applies to travel exhibitions.
The painting “Mona Lisa”, no doubt is the most famous and valuable paintings in the world, visitors at the Louver are allowed to take photo of it which only add to its appeal and the popularity.
I been to the AGO countless times, there were not many art I wanted to snap a photo of, most of the art were either under dim light or in glass cases. I did remember the Henry Moore sculpture gallery was popular with tourists to snap some photos.
When I was leaving I ask the woman at the ticket counter about this new photo policy, she gave me a stunning reply “ the architect Frank Ghery consider himself as an artist so all his buildings are copyrighted and therefore no photos allow anywhere in the building”.
However, at the end of December 2008 the AGO announced on their site of the “relaxed photo policy”, now photography of the building is allowed as long as art was in the shot.
I think the real reason for this new “relaxed policy” regarding photography at the AGO are more likely because they finally realized was un-enforceable and also creates ill wills with the paying public.
We are at the age of almost everyone own a digital camera or a camera cell phone. With museum security outnumber by the visitors, it is rather easy to snap a photo or two when the security not around or looking.
Let not forget, it was early 2004, some $1.5 million worth of miniature ivory sculptures on loan by Ken Thomson were stolen right under their nose when it was open to the public with security in full force.
One summer, I was working in New York and during the 4th of July weekend. Since I did not know anyone in the city, I decided to spend my three days holiday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in order to explore the many galleries. After my second visit there, I noticed the Japanese Gallery was close as the day before. On the third day, I inquired about this at the information desk, the nice gentleman told me it was closed due to not enough security on staff that weekend. Amazingly, without asking any questions about me or the reason why I wanted to see this gallery, he just picked up the phone and within minutes, a security been sent down and to open the gallery just for me! Not only I was allowed to take photos and I was told to take as much time as I wish.
Thank You Metropolitan Museum of Art!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
