Dates: September 17 to October 18, 2015

Vernissage: Wednesday, September 16, at 6 p.m.

Curators: Cammie McAtee, Architectural Historian, and Réjean Legault, Professor, École de design, UQAM
Lecture: “Arthur Erickson – aventures graphiques avec le paysage,” by Ricardo L. Castro, Professor, McGill University School of Architecture: Thursday, September 17 at 6 p.m.

Montreal, September 4, 2015 – A powerful and sensitive engagement with site and landscape is revealed in the sketches and drawings of the internationally-recognized Canadian architect Arthur Erickson (1924-2009), whose work will be the subject of an exhibition at UQAM’s Centre de Design from September 17 to October 18, 2015. Arthur Erickson: Lignes topographiques / Site Lines highlights the essence of the architect's many accomplishments, as well as his significant ties to the city of Montreal.

Arthur Erickson: Lignes topographiques / Site Lines

Organized by the Canadian Architectural Archives of the University of Calgary, the exhibition presents drawings and sketches—most of which have never before been exhibited—illustrating eight of the Vancouver architect's projects during the 1950s and ‘60s: five residences; two university campuses (including the famous project for Simon Fraser University); and the Canada Pavilion for Expo ‘70 in Osaka. The lines and gestures in each drawing reveal the architect’s intense exploration of ideas about light, space, and the interconnected relationship between site and program.

The exhibition is also an opportunity to revisit Erickson's connections with Montreal. Between 1946 and 1950, he studied at McGill University’s School of Architecture under the architect John Bland and the artist and designer Gordon Webber. A special section prepared by the Centre de Design will present five projects designed in the context of Montreal: two student projects at McGill University (1946-50); two pavilions for Expo ‘67; and an intriguing project for a residential complex designed with the idea of providing a monumental entrance to downtown Montreal.

Arthur Erickson

Born in Vancouver in 1924, Arthur Erickson was initiated in the arts in British Columbia before studying architecture at McGill University (B. Arch 1950). After returning to Vancouver, he established a practice focused on residential design (1953-62). In 1963, he won the competition for the new Simon Fraser University (1963-65) with his new partner, Geoffrey Massey. The originality of their proposal brought the firm international recognition, and Erickson was immediately invited to work as a consulting architect on the master plan for the Canadian Pavilion at Expo ‘67. In 1972, Erickson returned to independent practice as head of the firm Arthur Erickson Architects. His many remarkable achievements during this period include the Macmillan Bloedel Building in Vancouver (1965-69); the University of Lethbridge in Alberta (1968-71); the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia (1972-76); and the Provincial Law Courts and Robson Square in Vancouver (1973-79). In 1986, Erickson became the first Canadian to receive the American Institute of Architects’ Gold Medal.

www.arthurerickson.com

Address and opening hours

UQAM Centre de Design
1440 Sanguinet (corner of Sainte-Catherine East)
Montreal (Berri-UQAM metro)
Open Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Free admission 

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