The City of Edmonton was a leader in modern building during the 1950s and 1960s due to the oil boom, which spurred development and created a desire within city planners and businesses to appear modern and progressive. The exhibition, Capital Modern, has been curated by Edmonton architects Shafraaz Kaba, David Murray and Troy Smith, and highlights the wealth of Edmonton’s modern architecture that is extremely significant, yet often under appreciated.

The exhibition draws on the collections of the Canadian Architectural Archives, the Alberta Association of Architects, the Provincial Archives and the City of Edmonton Archives, and includes photographs, drawings and models that present a portrait of Modern architecture in Edmonton, an architecture that, at the time, led the nation. It is hoped that, in highlighting this architectural legacy, Capital Modern will foster an appreciation in all Edmontonians for their built heritage and encourage participation in the preservation of our remaining Modernist buildings.

As a significant part of the exhibition, internationally renowned and Edmonton-based architectural photographer, James Dow, will be commissioned to produce 30 new colour photographs of modern buildings that have survived and remain intact to date. As well, 4 new models were commissioned for the exhibition to provide visitors with a three-dimensional visualization of important building projects that have been demolished.
 

Exhibition brochure (PDF 557 KB)

related programming

Symposium - Making the Modern
June 7–8

Thursday, June 7, 7 pm
with Kenneth Frampton Keynote Address + Special Reception
Location: Hall 12, Shaw Conference Centre, 9797 Jasper Avenue

Friday, June 8, 8:00 am–5:30 pm
with Trevor Boddy, John Patkau, Brian MacKay-Lyons, Brigitte Shim and Fred Valentine
Location: Muttart Hall, Alberta College, 100500 MacDonald Drive, Edmonton, Alberta

Capital Modern Special Curators’ Tour
Saturday, July 28, 1–4 pm

Tour starts at the ART GALLERY OF ALBERTA with walk-through tour of the Capital Modern exhibition, followed by a guided bus excursion of key sites.
$20 / $12 AGA and MADE members

This tour is a rare opportunity to see some hidden Modern gems and take part in a discussion with some of the city’s best architectural minds. The Capital Modern Special Curators’ Tour offers an inside look at the architecture and urban planning that made Edmonton one of the most progressive cities in the country for its time. Join The Art Gallery of Alberta’s Capital Modern Curators: Shafraaz Kaba, David Murray and Troy Smith for an afternoon of discovery and inspiration.

Capital Modern Silent Auction
August 25, 7–9 pm

A significant part of Capital Modern comprises more than 30 new photographs by internationally renowned and Edmonton-based architectural photographer, James Dow. One of Canada’s most respected architectural photographers, Dow is notorious for his patience waiting for the perfect weather and environmental conditions before capturing his images. The last day of the exhibit is highlighted with a silent auction of these beautiful new prints.

 

For more information go to the Capital Modern blog at: http://capitalmodern.blogspot.com/