How engineering and arts combine forces to conserve our planet

Art, culture and environmental awareness will converge at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) on Nov. 2. Against a backdrop of climate change and growing social polarization, the ROM Immortal Gala: Forces of Nature will honour two dynamic visionaries — an engineer and an artist — whose work reframes the natural world not as a hostile force, but as a source of possibility.

John Bianchini, chair and chief executive officer of Hatch, and acclaimed Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky, O.C., will take the stage as joint recipients of the second annual ROM Immortal Award, which recognizes trailblazers whose accomplishments connect with the museum’s collections and mission.

Though they come from very different worlds, the pair share a longtime friendship and collaboration, united by interests in art, philanthropy and environmental stewardship.

“We have always met on common ground when it comes to our passion for nature and our concern for its future,” says the photographer, whose works are showcased in museums and galleries around the world.

For over 40 years, Burtynsky’s monumental photographs have depicted subjects ranging from oilfields, quarries and factories to receding glaciers and forests. Through his lens, industrial and endangered landscapes come into sharp focus, inviting viewers to confront both beauty and the consequences of human intervention. Rather than an indictment, he says the aim is to prompt positive, hopeful action, something at which his co-honouree excels.

“I think John and his team have done a lot to bring these two worlds together — the humanities with engineering and science — to get a higher look at the issues, where it’s all going and how we build it better and smarter for the future, with less impact on nature,” he says.

The admiration is mutual. Bianchini says of Burtynsky’s work: “I see Ed’s photographs as not only as beautiful things that allow us to have this conversation about society and sustainability, but also as a challenge to those of us in the technical, engineering and project management worlds. They really scream at us: ‘Is this the best we can do?’”

In this case, Bianchini’s best is evident as head of a leading engineering and services firm. A process engineer by training, he gained global perspective in over 30 years of overseeing major projects of international scope. He has long championed responsible and sustainable development, and he helped both create and deploy novel technologies.

“Despite what a lot of people think, engineering is not just about math and construction and putting on hard hats,” he says. “It’s also about creativity, staring at a blank page and trying to think of a new way of doing things, of designing things, of building things.”

These heady ideas warrant further discussion, which the black-tie gala’s newly imagined lounge format, complete with intimate seating, will encourage. During the immersive after-hours experience, guests will be granted exclusive access to some of the ROM’s best-known galleries and spaces, along with viewings of select objects from its collections. From bespoke cocktails and culinary delights to performance and storytelling, every element will draw inspiration from the power of nature.

Serving as the evening’s honorary chair is another force of nature, celebrated Canadian author Margaret Atwood, C.C. For over 60 years, she has advocated fiercely for environmental causes, including bird conservation and acting to combat climate change. Many of her works of fiction contain warnings about the perils of neglecting the natural world. The event is co-chaired by Helen Burstyn, C.M. and Amy Burstyn Fritz.

Forces of Nature promises true gala glitz and glam in support for the museum. The fundraiser follows the inaugural ROM Immortal Gala: The Art of Fashion, held in November 2025.

Proceeds from this year’s gala will directly support ROM exhibitions, research and educational programs — funds that are vital to ensuring the museum continues its mission to spark curiosity and foster dialogue and deeper understanding of the natural world for future generations.

Organizers are positioning the event as both celebration and forum, pairing the museum’s cultural objects, artworks and natural history specimens with contemporary questions about climate sustainability.

For more information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities, contact ROMGala@rom.on.ca

This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of The Royal Ontario Museum Foundation.