Some of the first visitors to the newly expanded, updated, and renovated Buffalo AKG Art Museum campus, have come away with sensational reports of what it’s like to venture into a couple of the gallery spaces.
While the Gundlach Building is still underwraps, the Ralph Wilson Town Square is a real showstopper. The glass canopy overhead – Common Sky, by Olafur Eliasson (Icelandic, born Denmark, 1967) and Sebastian Behmann (German, born 1969) of Studio Other Spaces – is as magical as one could ever hope for.
“… as if it was a crystal palace,” noted one visitor.
Between the kaleidoscopic sunburst refractions, and the cast prism shadows beamed onto the floor of the shimmering Town Hall, there is “an immense sense of ethereal joy, to be in a space of such light and reflection.”
“Upon seeing it for the first time – a visual experience that will last forever after leaving that space. Just stand and take in the reflections, shadows, a magical tree covered in icicles, let your imagination soar…. It’s like being inside a giant kaleidoscope of crystals, brilliant as the sun reflecting on ice crystals on a winter day.”
Another item of intrigue is the significant update to the historic Sculpture Court and ancillary gallery spaces, where marble floors have been swapped for wood.
Overhead, numerous square sunbursts framing the massive skylight have been restored.
Then there’s the thirty-foot-long glass mosaic wall by Firelei Baez (Dominican, born 1981) – Chorus of the Deep – inside Cornelia restaurant.
Historic elements once again gleam with pride, while new artistic and architectural additions evoke a renewed sense of pride for Buffalo’s beloved museum.
Visitors will find unanticipated visual delights around every corner – a phenomenal experience that will soon be exponentially heightened by the unveiling of the “still in the works” Gundlach Building.
To learn about Buffalo AKG Art Museum’s Opening Weekend (Knox and Wilmers buildings) – FREE to the Community, click here. The Gundlach building is anticipated to open July 20.
Get connected: buffaloakg.org
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