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Comments by Linda Belanger: In this lengthy article (below) published in the Toronto Star on April 25/05 Martin Knelman attempts to pass off the critics of the proposed Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg as poor sports and the issue as nothing more than a debate over architecture. The fact is that the Asper Foundation originally wanted a Holocaust Museum but other ethnic groups felt that it would be unfair to focus on one genocide while ignoring other. The Asper Foundation then proposed a Human Rights Museum with a great hall focusing on the Holocaust. Fair enough considering the considerable effort that they have put into this project. However, since the proposed H.R. museum would be administered by the Asper Foundation and not the federal government, there is still reason for concern as to whether or not every tragedy will be given a place. For instance, will the Zionist Asper Foundation allow a corner for the Palestinians to tell the story of their expulsion from their homeland by Zionist forces in 1948 and the continuing land confiscation and human rights of the Israeli government? If $100 million Canadian tax dollars are to be poured into this project, it should be administered by the Heritage Canada, not the Asper Foundation. The issue goes far beyond sour grapes and architecture. Apr. 25, 2005. 04:42 PM The Toronto Star Museum caught in backlash Some disdainful media writers toss poison darts at Aspers' stunning project in Winnipeg The Canadian Museum of Human Rights, seen in artist’s rendering, is “a symbolic apparition of ice, clouds and stone” that will tell the stories of Canada’s many human the Post’s views on the Middle rights struggles and of what the Charter of Rights really means. The building will sit at The Forks in Winnipeg, where the Assiniboine and Red rivers meet. MARTIN KNELMAN The Canadian Museum of Human Rights, details of which were unveiled in a theatrical presentation 10 days ago, is likely the most thrilling news Winnipeg has had in half a century. Given its mission to draw millions of visitors and tell this country's story to both Canadians and the rest of the world, it should be feted not just in Manitoba but from coast to coast. Instead, it has lately become the target of a sneer campaign from the East, especially Toronto, with an outburst of snobbery rooted in the bad old days of mean-spirited Hogtown. Behind that antagonism lies a tale of two cities. The Winnipeg museum — dreamed up by the late Israel Asper, founder of the CanWest Global media empire — is the latest evidence that Winnipeg has become the Little City That Could even while Toronto has cast itself as The Big City That Can't. Perhaps that's why so much disdain has been spewed lately at Winnipeg. The Globe and Mail has been issuing poison darts at the Winnipeg museum, complaining about the building and how the architect was selected; extending sympathy to museums in Canada whose funding needs are being ignored; denouncing the federal government for trying to buy votes; even suggesting that the Aspers' museum is tainted by a Jewish agenda. Are the Aspers being attacked because they own the National Post? Could the Toronto newspaper war be the subtext for this debate? Even if you don't share the Post's views on the Middle East or the CBC (and I don't), surely that should not get in the way of recognizing the rich potential of this museum. Some can't get past the notion that if there is going to be such a museum, it should be in Ottawa or Toronto. But this project's location at The Forks — where the Red River meets the Assiniboine River — helps define its genius. The Forks has been historic sacred ground for 6,000 years, a favourite early gathering spot for First Nations and much later for immigrants arriving by train. Today, it draws millions of pleasure-seekers. The museum will be adjacent to a beautiful new bridge to St. Boniface, symbolizing the link between English Canada and French Canada. Its location is a way of proclaiming that things of national importance don't have to happen in Ottawa, and it's an eloquent answer to western alienation. The winning architect, Antoine Predock of New Mexico, calls the building "a symbolic apparition of ice, clouds and stone." He certainly appears to have delivered the icon that was demanded — as well as providing a space that takes visitors on an exciting journey. As for the complaint that the architecture selection committee should have chosen a Canadian, well, the fact is that this was an international competition. The committee had expert consultants, did due diligence, and made the right choice. The content of the museum is in the hands of Ralph Applebaum, whose achievements include New York's Museum of Natural History, and who is widely regarded as the world's pre-eminent museum planner. And he presented tantalizing glimpses of what will be on display inside this museum. Above all, the museum's aspirations — to tell the stories, both positive and negative, of Canada's many human rights struggles, and of what the Charter of Rights really means — speaks to the experience of millions who came to this country because it offered them the right to achieve their dreams. Many of them live in Toronto, which is one reason we should be embracing this museum. But there are reasons for Toronto's fit of jealousy. With a fraction of Toronto's population and financial resources, Winnipeg has managed to succeed at something Toronto has been failing at for decades. As Gail Lord, president of Lord Cultural Resources puts it, "When it comes to waterfront redevelopment, Winnipeg has really got its act together." Historic railway buildings have been turned into a bustling, attractive marketplace. The Forks has a children's museum, a baseball park, a new hotel — and that wonderful new bridge. Unlike Toronto, Winnipeg (especially under former mayor Glen Murray) has found ways to create co-operation among its three levels of government. Now Winnipeg has the chutzpah to think it can create a major museum in an iconic building on the water, worthy of mention in the same breath as the Guggenheim Bilbao or the Sydney Opera House. Izzy Asper once said Canada is a country that has a tendency to reach for the middle — whereas this project, in order to succeed, had to reach for the stars. His daughter, Gail Asper, has miraculously managed to bring this project back to life after it was virtually declared dead because Paul Martin's government stalled for months before agreeing to come up with the $100 million promised by his predecessor, Jean Chrétien. So far Izzy Asper's vision has not been compromised. But in Toronto, where compromise is a way of life, we settle for museum makeovers in iffy locations while our waterfront fails to get the iconic architecture and cultural attraction it needs. Inconceivable as it may seem to certain people, Toronto has a lot to learn from Winnipeg. At the risk of being called a chauvinist, I should mention that I grew up in Winnipeg's north end and had formative experiences watching movies at a theatre owned by Izzy Asper's parents. Like my grandparents, they had come to Winnipeg from Russia, seeking a better life — and they found it. Which is only one reason why, when the Museum of Human Rights opens in 2009, I plan to be there. http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/ Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1114380609353&call_pageid= 968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Martin Knelman can be reached at mknelman@thestar.ca Fair Use Notice The above is copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Your Comments |
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