To spot the Remai Modern as you walk, just look for a large, striking building with contemporary glass walls, dramatic copper mesh panels, and cantilevered sections right along the riverbank.
Welcome to the Remai Modern! As you stand here, imagine you’re on the edge of a sweeping prairie with the South Saskatchewan River stretching out beside you. And suddenly-rising from the landscape-a structure appears: glass glinting in the sunlight, copper mesh casting shifting shadows, and bold stacks jutting towards the sky. This isn’t just a building; it’s a tribute to the region’s open farmland and those classic barns and silos you’d see scattered across Saskatchewan.
But the story behind this museum? Oh, it’s got more twists than a modern art installation. Back in 2009, Saskatoon dreamed of reinventing its art scene. They waved goodbye to old renovation plans for the Mendel Art Gallery and decided to do something big and bold, right here at River Landing. The Art Gallery of Saskatchewan was born-sort of like a superhero origin story, but with more Picasso and fewer capes!
Now enter Ellen Remai, a Saskatoon philanthropist and the fairy godmother of the arts around here. She donated a whopping 30 million dollars, not to mention the world’s largest collection of Picasso linocuts-over 400 slices of artistic genius and a handful of Picasso ceramics thrown in for good measure. Thanks to her generosity, the museum you’re looking at became Remai Modern, proudly opening its doors in 2017.
This building was designed by Bruce Kuwabara, inspired by Prairie style and Frank Lloyd Wright-the classic cool architect move. It’s four floors, with a massive open atrium that seems to breathe in sunlight from every angle. On the outside, see that copper? That’s a cheeky architectural wink to the famous Delta Bessborough hotel’s rooftop just down the river. Local steel, glass, and about a metric ton of artistic ambition came together to make this place what it is.
But don’t let this sleek exterior fool you-inside, Remai Modern holds more than 8,000 pieces of art, a collection spanning Canadian legends like Emily Carr and Lawren Harris, international stars, and new troublemakers pushing the limits. The Mendel Art Gallery’s whole historic collection found a new home here, and with it, stories of decades past echo through these halls.
Oh, and did I mention drama? Like any good piece of art, there’s a little controversy. During construction, a board member found himself the center of a heated debate over a tweet, and there’s even a tale about some construction budget acrobatics. But in the end, Remai Modern triumphed and opened with a bang-celebrated by First Nations and Métis performances on its grand opening day.
Today, it’s not just an art gallery. It’s a hub for talks, film screenings, rooftop sightseeing, and hands-on fun for students and visitors alike. You might even catch live music, wild dance, or something totally unclassifiable-modern art at its finest!
So, take a breath, soak in the copper and glass, and let your imagination run wild. You never know whether you’ll spot a Picasso, a wild new piece, or just a fantastic sunset reflecting off those windows. Ready for more? Let’s head on to our next stop-Saskatoon Technical Collegiate!
Exploring the realm of the architecture, permanent collection or the programming? Feel free to consult the chat section for additional information.
