Cornelia Hahn Oberlander: Genius Loci | In Conversation to celebrate the visionary Landscape Architect

VANCOUVER: On January 24^th, the West Coast Modern League with the West Vancouver Art Museum celebrate the visionary Landscape Architect Cornelia Hahn Oberlander and the opening of the museum’s new exhibition, and launch of the accompanying publication, entitled Cornelia Hahn Oberlander: Genius Loci. This event will feature a live online panel discussion with Cornelia Hahn Oberlander and panelists Charles Birnbaum, Amery Calvelli, Susan Herrington, and Eva Matsuzaki, moderated by Dr. Hilary Letwin.

Since establishing her Vancouver-based practice in 1953, Cornelia has practiced landscape architecture with one goal in mind: “to design outdoor spaces for the enjoyment of all in our urban environment.”[1] With this, her work has since explored a broad range of programs including urban parks, playgrounds, cultural spaces, social housing, and private residences. A key figure in the development of West Coast Modernism, some of her most notable local landscapes include the Provincial Law Courts and Robson Square (1982), the Museum of Anthropology at UBC (1976), Eppich House II (1979), Library Square (1995), and the Visitor’s Centre Rooftop, VanDusen Botanical Garden (2011). Further afield, she was responsible for landscape designs at the Children’s Creative Centre Playground, Canadian Federal Pavilion, Expo 67 (1967), Canadian Chancery in Washington, DC (1989), National Gallery of Canada (1990), and the Northwest Territories Legislative Building (1994).

Cornelia has received international acclaim in the field of landscape architecture. Among numerous other awards and honours, she is a Companion of the Order of Canada, Member of the Order of British Columbia, and a Fellow of both the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects and the American Society of Landscape Architects. With a design process regarded for intensive research, innovation, and stewardship for the natural environment, Cornelia’s impact in the realms of landscape architecture is far-reaching and unparalleled.

[1] Oberlander, C.H. (2021). Forging the Way. In Cornelia Hahn Oberlander: Genius Loci (pp. 14-18). West Vancouver, BC: West Vancouver Art Museum. Edmonton, AB: The Art Gallery of Alberta.

The Panelists:

Cornelia Hahn Oberlander | Landscape Architect
Charles Birnbaum | President, CEO, and Founder, The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF)
Amery Calvelli | Adjunct Curator, Poole Centre of Design at the Art Gallery of Alberta
Susan Herrington | Professor and Chair, Landscape Program at UBC SALA
Dr. Hilary Letwin | Curator, West Vancouver Art Museum
Eva Matsuzaki | Architect

Reception + Panel Discussion:

SUN, JANUARY 24, 2021 – 3:00pm PST
Presented by the West Coast Modern League
In Partnership with the West Vancouver Art Museum
Online Panel Discussion

Registration Required:

Registration with suggested $10 donation. Open to the Public.
Live Online Panel Discussion. This event will be recorded through Zoom.

Registration will be required to receive a link to join the event. The event is free, but we ask that you please consider a donation. All funds raised will be allocated to this event and to funding the League’s future public programming.