Photographs and Stories of Travel and Special Events in Canada and Around the World
Toronto’s annual Doors Open draws thousands to Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum; several hundred take opportunity to view Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s photographic exhibition The Living Sea
Doors Open Toronto, visitors in queue to enter the Ismaili Centre Toronto, May 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Mercnant/Simerg Photos.
The annual Doors Open Toronto event is Canada’s largest Doors Open event and one of the three largest Doors Open even in the world. The event on the weekend of May 27-28, 2023 offered free and rare access to visit and see inside more than 150 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across the city. The Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Museum were among the buildings that participated in this well attended event.
The Ismaili Centre Toronto (ICT) was a major attraction as visitors waited patiently to see the Jamatkhana prayer hall housed under the huge glass dome; the dome is clearly visible for miles to motorists driving north on the Don Valley Parkway. Its view at night on days when it is lighted is dazzling. Many had also come to see Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s photographic exhibition The Living Sea: Fragile Beauty which is on display until June 4 in the patio and the social hall of the Ismaili Centre.
The Aga Khan Park with its 5 ponds was another popular site for visitors — many joined guided walking tours through the park, or spend contemplative moments by the ponds and on benches throughout the park. An art exhibit in the central pond drew hundreds to take photographs; the art work’s mystical words could be clearly read in the pond when the wind was light and the water was ripple free.
Doors Open Toronto; visitors are seen getting a guided tour of the Aga Khan Park, with the magnificent Jamatkhana prayer hall dome in the background. The central pond, one of 5 ponds in Aga Khan Park, is currently displaying a series of aluminium/steel art work by Matt Donovan and Halle Siegel standing above the water, During a calm moment, the reflection of the inverted letters are clearly and fully rearranged and displayed in the water as “There is voice that does not use words”; May 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Selfies were very popular along the front wall of the Aga Khan Museum. Inside, visitors were treated to music in the couryard, walked through and admired the beautiful architecture of the building, saw the auditorium and the beautiful blue stairwell leading to the auditorium’s balcony, and the Bellerive Room housing artefacts from Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan’s ceramic collection. Many took to see the Rumi exhibition on the 2nd exhibition floor gallery at a discounted price of $10.00. With tired feet, several visitors rested by the cafe and around corridors seeping chai, cofee and cold drinks as well as snacking on tasty sandwiches, salads and specialty cookies, and Middle Eastern delicacies — my favourite is the pistachio baklava. Outside, the museum’s Diwan restaurant served butter chicken and samosas.
I am pleased to present photographs I took on Saturday, May 27th. That completed my beautiful weeklong trip to Toronto.
Aga Khan Museum’s stairwell leading to the auditorium’s balcony section; May 27, 2023. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Doors Open Toronto; musician performs in Aga Khan Museum’s courtyard; May 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Doors Open Toronto; Prince Sadruddin and Princess Catherine Aga Khan ceramic collection, Bellerive Room, Aga Khan Museum; May 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Doors Open Toronto; a section of the permanent gallery floor of the Aga Khan Museum, viewed from the upper level which is currently hosting the Rumi exhibition until October 1, 2023; May 27, 2023; Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Doors Open Toronto; a special exhibition dedicated to Rumi is currently on display at the Aga Khan Museum until October 1, 2023; May 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Doors Open Toronto; a view of Aga Khan Museum’s exhibition on Rumi that runs through until October 1, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Doors Open Toronto; visitors at gift shop, Aga Khan Museum; May 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Doors Open Toronto; visitors at left walk through the Aga Khan Park towards the Ismaili Centre, while the group on the right walks towards the Aga Khan Museum. At left, by pond, visitors are receiving a guided tour of the Aga Khan Park. In front of them or in the pond facing the Aga Khan Museum building is exhibited a stainless steel/aluminium art work that is rearranged and reflected in the water as “There is voice that does not use words;” May 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Doors Open Toronto; a view of Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s photographic exhibition The Living Sea: Fragile Beauty displayed in the patio of the Ismaili Centre, as seen walking west through the Aga Khan Park; May 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Doors Open Toronto; a group of Nigerian girls who were captivated by this panel of photographs at Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s Living Sea: Fragile Beauty exhibition currently on display in the patio as well as the social hall of the Ismaili Centre Toronto; May 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Doors Open Toronto; Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s exhibition on display in the patio of the Ismaili Centre Toronto, with the magnificent dome of the Ismaili Jamatkhana prayer hall in the background; May 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Doors Open Toronto; book section in gift shop of the Aga Khan Museum. Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s beautiful 320 page book The Living Sea can be seen at the bottom right shelf. They are available in limited quantities at the museum and Ismaili Jamatkhana literature counters; May 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Date posted: May 29, 2023.
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