Crista Dahl

Crista Dahl is a Canadian artist based in Vancouver, British Columbia, born in 1934 in Seattle, Washington. She is recognized for her contributions to media arts and her long-standing involvement with the Vancouver Independent Video Outlet (VIVO Media Arts Centre). The Crista Dahl Media Library & Archive at VIVO is named in her honor due to her extensive volunteer work, including roles as board chairperson, board member, and archivist. Her involvement with VIVO began through Intermedia in the 1970s, where she supported international video exchange projects, such as the Matrix Video Conference tape exchange and eight International Video Exchange Directories (1971–1981), which form the foundation of VIVO’s current collection. Dahl was an active artist in Vancouver’s early experimental art community, initially known as Crista Preus. She was a member of Intermedia and later joined Video Inn (now VIVO), contributing to the development of its collectively managed space at 261 Powell Street. Her artistic practice often engaged the public through participatory projects using organic materials and performance, frequently conducted in schools. These projects were supported by educational and arts funding. In 1972, Dahl and psychologist Carol Aellen received federal funding for the Life Rhythm project (1966–1970, 2013), which explored concepts of time and space through workshops, performances, and media installations. This work was exhibited at institutions such as the Vancouver Art Gallery, Simon Fraser University, and VIVO Media Arts Centre, where a retrospective of her art, including Life Rhythm, drawings, paintings, and sculptures, was held in 2013. Dahl moved to Canada ...