Will Alsop, famed British architect and Distinguished Visiting Practitioner at Ryerson University, is coming to the Design Exchange in Toronto. On Wednesday, August 25, an exciting new exhibit of his latest work will open and on Wednesday, September 29, he will take part in a panel discussion on architecture and the university’s role as a city builder.
How does one of the most renowned architects create buildings that are works of art? Acclaimed British architect Will Alsop will offer a glimpse into his approach to design in a new exhibition opening at the Design Exchange on Wednesday, August 25, which closes on October 18, 2010. Entitled Will Alsop. New Work. The Best is Yet to Come, the exhibition presents an assemblage of memorabilia that reflects Alsop’s work, relationships and interests. Themes explored in this exhibit include the public view, beauty, light, proportion, the dirty canvas, tyranny of style, behaviour, materials, colour, immediacy, the health risk of boredom, urban migration and more.
Unlike conventional design processes which begin as a sketch, Alsop draws on creative media such as painting and whimsical computer animation to develop his designs. To illustrate Alsop’s unique creative process, the exhibition will feature a 30-foot painting and short videos of his works in progress. A scale model of a major urban corridor that is part of the master plan for Haikou, China, will also be on display.
A team of Ryerson students and graduates who worked in Alsop’s office in London earlier this summer helped him to mount this show in Toronto. David Campbell and Aamna Zaheer, two
recent graduates of the architectural science program are co-curators of the exhibit. Vincent Hui, an assistant professor at Ryerson’s Department of Architectural Science, has been overseeing the
students throughout the entire exhibit process.
“I feel honoured to have this wonderful opportunity to work with an architect as renowned as Will
Alsop at such an early stage in my career,” says Campbell. “Under Professor Hui’s mentorship, it has been gratifying to have worked with the team to display Mr. Alsop’s exciting vision of architecture and urban space at the Design Exchange.”
On Wednesday, September 29 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at the Design Exchange, Alsop will also be taking part in a moderated panel discussion entitled Universities as City Builders. Ryerson University President Sheldon Levy will lead a discussion on how architects and universities are playing an integral role as city builders, along with featured panelists Will Alsop, Design Principal, RMJM’s London office; Craig Dykers, Principal Architect and Co-founder, Snøhetta; and Eb Zeidler, Senior Partner, Zeidler Partnership Architects.
The Design Exchange is located at 234 Bay Street in Toronto’s TD Centre. Hours of the exhibition are Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 noon to 5:00pm. For more information, please visit www.dx.org.