This exhibition at the Winnipeg Art Gallery has been guest curated by Dr. Serena Keshavjee, Art History Program, Department of History, University of Winnipeg, and Professor Herbert Enns, Faculty of Architecture, and Director, New Media Program, University of Manitoba.

Winnipeg City Hall

In the words of Serena Keshavjee "Modernism is now defined as a historical period. It is important to realize Modernism represents a crucial portion of Winnipeg’s architectural heritage. Winnipeg is a crucible of Canadian Modernist architecture. The Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba graduated some of the most important representatives of Canadian Modernism. Many of these graduates remained in Winnipeg, producing one of the richest stocks of Modernist architecture in Canada. Winnipeg maintains more high quality Modernist buildings than any other Canadian city outside of Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver."

With a buildup like that, this exhibition jumps off the events listings as a must-see. Winnipeg has a great selection of modernist buildings including churches, office buildings, housing, and the City Hall itself. Some of these buildings no-longer exist but many do and are often overlooked or disliked by the populace.

Église du Précieux-Sang

Local architects brought a regional influence to the modernist idiom often producing innovative and exciting work that stands tall amongst twentieth century Canadian architecture.

Unfortunately, this exhibition does not live up to its hype. There is no attempt to provide an introduction to modernism, its major figures internationally nor its local proponents. What is presented is simply black and white photographs, mostly quite small, and with little or no information. There are no enlargements of important works, no architectural models and only a handful of drawings. Landmark buildings of the period should be highlighted but instead they merge into insignificance with lesser buildings.

The exhibition is poorly laid out and designed, the tedium of the presentation slightly enlivened by the period furniture on display. For the Winnipeg Art Gallery to produce such a poorly presented exhibit is very disappointing - it will do nothing to influence those who have no appreciation or liking for architecture of this exciting period. Indeed its drabness with simply reinforce the common-held prejudice against modernist architecture.