Down the rabbit hole
caféAGO had a psychedelic new makeover! Hear what it’s like to work in this trippy space.
If you’ve recently stopped by to enjoy a meal or beverage at caféAGO, you may have noticed the walls have undergone a psychedelic makeover – and it sure is groovy!
The large-scale, black and white, spiral Op Art illusion spans the walls (and pillars) of the café, with its design taking inspiration from “far out” classics like Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Camouflaged within its trippy contours, there are a few hidden gems for you to discover while you enjoy your meal.
You can easily get lost in Alice’s rabbit hole taking one quick look at the walls, so what’s it like seeing it daily? We chatted with a couple of caféAGO’s employees to get their take on the new design.
Adam is a long-time AGO employee. He’s an art lover whose favourite piece from the AGO Collection is Kent Monkman’s The Academy. Adam took a few minutes out of his busy day to give us some insight into the new digs.
AGO: What are your thoughts about the new design?
Adam: It’s very striking. It definitely conveys a sense of excitement, which I think captures the general vibe of the café. It’s a very vibrant, lively, family-friendly sort of space. Visitors are responding very positively. One thing that I think is very engaging is the details that you can find, such as the droplet of water and the little raccoon.
Jun is a front of house employee who thrives in the bustling environment of the café. His favourite piece from the Collection: Rebecca Belmore’s Rising to the Occasion.
AGO: What do you think about the Op Art walls?
Jun: At first the change was surprising. After getting used to it I started noticing the details in the design. There’s a lot of interest from visitors, and a lot of people taking photos.
Pop in to caféAGO to check out the new wall design for yourself while you enjoy a tasty treat. The café is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 am to 4 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm.
Admission to the AGO Collection and all special exhibitions is always free for AGO Members, AGO Annual Pass holders and visitors 25 and under. For more information, please visit the website.
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