The open-concept design and high ceilings allow textiles to be displayed in unique formations presenting visitors with a three-dimensional experience.

Shanghai 1860-1949: Historical Photographs
April 26 -  October 26

Over 80 images chronicle life in China’s ‘Paris of the East’

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) presents Shanghai 1860-1949: Historical Photographs, on display in the Herman Herzog Levy Gallery, part of the Asian Suite of Galleries on Level 1 of the Philosophers’ Walk Wing, from April 26 to October 26, 2008. The exhibit displays over 80 images highlighting the architecture, surroundings, inhabitants and way of life in China’s foremost commercial and cultural centre up to the radical changes of 1949, when the People’s Republic of China was established. The images are selected from the ROM’s extensive collections of historical photographs, including recent gifts by Joey and Toby Tanenbaum, Jacob Way and Amelia Gertrud Way-Evans. The events of 1949 are documented in 12 photographs by photojournalist Sam Tata, on loan from the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography in Ottawa.

Organized by the Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC) at the ROM, Shanghai Kaleidoscope offers an unprecedented view of one of the world's most dynamic cities, highlighting an emerging generation of Chinese artists, architects, and fashion designers. Examining Shanghai as a laboratory for 21st-century urban creation, the exhibition brings together an adventurous mix of architectural models and digital simulations; designer fashion apparel, drawings and runway videos; as well as paintings, photo-works and video installations by 35 of the city's leading contemporary artists, architects and fashion designers. Generously supported by Manulife Financial, the exhibition will be presented in the Roloff Beny Gallery in the ROM’s Michael Lee-Chin Crystal.

Welcome to the pre-computer era: the discovery of QWERTY keyboards, carriage returns and black ribbon. Early Typewriters presents 20 antique typewriters and explores the remarkable designs and ingenuity of the world’s first typing machines.

Discover the science surrounding the stunning Black Star of Queensland, one of the largest-known cut and polished star sapphires in the world. This is the first time this unique and extravagant gem is displayed in Canada and the first time anywhere in the world since 1969. The highlight of the exhibition will be the 733 carat “Black Star” surrounded by 35 brilliant cut diamonds. The exhibition will also look at the chemistry and structure of sapphires, how sapphires are formed in nature, where and how they are mined, and their significance in various cultures. Specific to the Black Star of Queensland, a section on asterism (an optical phenomenon in the shape of a star) will also be included.

This comprehensive exhibition explores the extraordinary life of Charles Darwin (1809-1882) whose curiosity, observations and discoveries nearly 150 years ago forever changed the perception of the origin of species and launched modern biological science. In addition to his theory of evolution, Darwin is known for his work as a botanist, geologist, and naturalist. From specimens of Gal·pagos finches to original manuscripts and notebooks, the exhibition, on display in the spacious new Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall in the Lee-Chin Crystal, is the broadest collection ever assembled on the life and work of Darwin.

This exhibition is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, in collaboration with the Museum of Science, Boston; The Field Museum, Chicago; the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada; and the Natural History Museum, London, England

For centuries, gold and silver have been valued for currency and for the manufacture of luxurious and functional objects. The program this year consists of selected lectures by leading experts designed to enhance your appreciation of the treasures within the ROM collections. This program includes the opening lecture, Thursday evening reception, coffee, lunch and workshops on Friday and Saturday. Early Bird (up to and including February 20): $275, ROM Members: $300, General Public: $350. To register contact, Elsa McKay: 905.635.9432; elsamckay@cogeco.ca.

Sponsored by Waterford Wedgwood, with additional support from Christie’s
Hotel host: Holiday Inn, Toronto Midtown
Organized by the European Section of the Department of World Cultures, and the Department of Museum Volunteers

All ROM BUS trips are full-day excursions and require pre-registration. Each trip is $85 per person, $80 for ROM Memebers except where otherwise noted. Book online at http://rom.on.ca/programs/rom_travel or call 416.586.5797 to register.

• Ukrainian Heritage, Thursday Feb 7
• The Truth about Transportation: Past, Present and Future, Thursday, Mar. 27
• Frank Darling’s Toronto, Tuesday April 22

All ROMTRAVEL excursions range in duration and require pre-registration. Each destination is thoroughly researched and accompanied by expert resource people offering a distinctive view into world cultures and natural history tours. For more information please visit http://rom.on.ca/programs/rom_travel.

• Treasures of Egypt, January 15 to 27, 2008
• Ecuador and Darwin's Galapagos, February 4 to 18, 2008
• Puglia, Italy, May 2 to 12, 2008
• Japan - A Land of Senses, May 4 to 18, 2008
• Bulgaria, June 3 to 18, 2008