Montreal, Canada, 2011-11-08 -  The UQAM Centre de design presents Norman Slater | Design Lessons. This exhibition, curated by Réjean Legault, Professor at the UQAM School of Design, celebrates the work of Montreal architect and designer Norman Slater (1921-2003). Slater left his mark on the design and architecture of the 60s, in addition to creating works that have become essential elements of Montreal’s cultural heritage.
The exhibition will enable visitors to discover the importance of this eminent but little-known figure through the presentation of 25 of Slater’s projects designed between 1950 and 1980, an exhibition catalogue, and an urban route. In addition, student work, created for the occasion, will be on display in the Hall of the Design building. 

Norman Slater | Design Lessons
Although his professional activity was concentrated in his hometown, Norman Slater’s career assumed national and international dimensions in Ottawa, Edmonton, Vancouver, Brussels and Tokyo. In Montreal, his works were linked to major projects (Place des Arts, the metro, Expo 67) and, although many have now disappeared, some still occupy a prominent place in the city’s landscape and imagination.

The value of Norman Slater’s work resides in its originality and its diversity, and his continuing effort to explore and expand the conventional limits of design. Slater was remarkable for his ability to to work on three levels: the object, the building and the city. His numerous projects in and for the public space reflect current concerns about the integration of art into the architectural and urban environmental.

One objective of the exhibition is to explore design practice and the designer’s methodology in the light of Slater’s work. To that end, the exhibition presents 25 projects that he designed using a variety of media tools (drawings, models, artifacts photographs and video montages). For example, visitors will be able to see the aluminum ingot provided by Alcan for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. 

Catalogue
Norman Slater | Design Lessons will be accompanied by a catalogue. With thematic essays on Slater’s output and a portfolio of the works presented in the exhibition, it provides a documentary record of Slater’s achievements and offers an original contribution to the study of design in Quebec and Canada from the 1950s to the 1980s. The main text is written by curator Réjean Legault, with additional essays by Maurice Cloutier, designer and professor at the UQAM School of Design; Mark Poddubiuk, architect and professor at the UQAM School of Design; Gary Conrath architect and designer at Indesign; and Harry Stilman, architect. 

Urban route – Sur les traces de Norman Slater
As a complement to the exhibition, the Centre de design will offer visitors a flyer outlining a self-guided route. Sur les traces de Norman Slater [In the footsteps of Norman Slater] suggests an urban route for viewing the designer’s achievements in Montreal, thus providing an additional dimension to the exhibition in an urban context. The urban route will also be an opportunity to highlight the importance of Norman Slater’s contribution to Montreal design and architecture. 

Support
This exhibition is made possible by the participation of Rio Tinto Alcan, Arcop and DeSerres, and is publicized in collaboration with v2com.biz.

Location and hours
Centre de design de l'UQAM
1440 Sanguinet Street (corner of Sainte-Catherine East)
Montréal (Berri-UQAM metro)
Wednesday to Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.
Free admission