welcome to our
SATURDAY EVENING POST
July 27th, 2024
Public art serves functions far beyond what we often realize. It exists in our city, sometimes overlooked, yet always present to remind us of who we are and what we value. The relationship between a city and its public artworks mobilizes the city with a soul, much like the presence of art in a home transforms it, giving it character and substance. When art enters a space, it enriches that environment, making it feel complete, a house into a home. Similarly, public art breathes life into a city, turning ordinary spaces into places of pride and inspiration.
A city’s attitude towards its public artworks reflects its cultural vitality. Just as a home without art feels empty, a city devoid of public art lacks a critical element that contributes to its identity and soul. It is often only when people encounter art in their homes or public spaces that they realize its profound impact, wondering how they ever lived without it for so long. Art shows pride of place, whether in an office, home, or city. It serves to inspire, challenge, and elevate the everyday experiences of those who interact with it.
Vancouver is a city rich with public artworks. Some pieces become so integrated into our daily lives that they are barely noticed, transforming into everyday landmarks that blend seamlessly with their surroundings. Other works stand out, impossible to ignore. However, each work contributes to the city's vitality and cultural constitution.
This is the last of our segments on public artworks in Greater Vancouver, we hope you enjoyed the last three weeks. If you are new here, please check out Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of our Saturday Evening Post segments on public art in Greater Vancouver. Please let us know what your favourite work in the city is, we would love to showcase it down the road.
Gerhard Class, Untitled (Tuning Fork), 1968, Corten steel. Music Building, UBC.
Image credit: George Lenko; David J. Laporte
Henry Moore, Knife Edge Two Piece, 1969, Bronze. 33rd and Cambie Street, Queen Elizabeth Park.
Image: Prentice Bloedel and his wife Virginia are shown after they unveiled Knife Edge Two Piece by Henry Moore. The Bloedel Foundation set aside $150,000 for the bronze sculpture by the world-renowned British artist. Vancouver Sun.
Alan Chung Hung, Spring, 1981, Steel. Robson Square.
Image credit: Mike W.; Colin Knowles; 1987 – Archives# 2008-010.2031.
Barry Cogswell, Pressure Group 6, 1976-1982, Corrosion-resistant weathering steel. 1244 Cartwright Street, Granville Island.
Image credit: Barry Cogswell; Benjie Layug.
Liam Gillick, lying on top of a building the clouds looked no nearer than when I was lying on the street, 2008, Stainless steel. 1011 West Cordova Street.
Image credit: Paul Kyle Gallery.
Ken Lum, Monument for East Vancouver, 2010, Concrete, steel, aluminum impact modified acrylic, LED illumination. Clark Drive at East 6th Ave.
Image credit: Ken Lum
Lew Parry, Centennial Rocket, 1986. South end of the Cambie Steet Bridge.
Photo credit: Kyle Cameron; Sheet Metal Workers’ rocket designed by Lew Parry in the 1938 PNE parade. CVA 775-195; The original rocket ship at Vancouver Airport, 1947. CVA 1376-360.
Doug R. Taylor, Magic and Lethal, West end of the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Photo credit: Paul Kyle Gallery; The Vancouver Convention Centre
Alvin Kanak, Inuksuk, 1986. 1700 Beach Ave, English Bay.
Image credit: Christina Chan
George Tsutakawa, Fountain of the Pioneers, 1969, Bronze. 500 Burrard Street.
Image credit: Mike W.
Gathie Falk, 900 Oranges, 2020, Bronze, 5077 Cambie Street, the Cambie Street end of the pedestrian mews between Buildings B and C.
Gisele Amantea, Untitled (Poodle), 2012. Main Street at 18th Avenue, Vancouver, BC.
Image credit: Courtesy of Gisele Amantea; Paul Kyle Gallery.
Douglas Coupland, Digital Orca, 2009, Powder coated aluminium on a stainless steel frame. Jack Poole Plaza, Vancouver Convention Centre.
Image credit: Courtesy of the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Peter Gazendam, A Long Conversation (For Oona), 2017. 438/468 Terminal Ave, between Thornton and Scotia Street, around Columbia College.
Image credit: Blaine Campbell
George A Norris, The Crab, 1968, Stainless steel. In front of Museum of Vancouver, near Vanier Park.
Image credit: Paul Kyle Gallery; Alyson Hurt.
Doug R. Taylor, Wind Swimmer, 1996, Wood, steel, aluminum, lead, bronze. Cornwall Ave and Yew Street in next to Kits Pool.
Image credit: Ruth Hartnup.
Jay Senetchko and Drew Young, The Present is a Gift, 2016, created as part of the Vancouver Mural Festival 2016. 2539/2549 Main Street.
Image credit: Vancouver Mural Festival; Ruth Hartnup.
Yue Minjun, A-maze-ing Laughter, 2009, 14 patinated cast-bronze figure. Morton Park at English Bay, Davie and Denman Street.
Image credit: Vancouver Page; Vancouver Biennale.
Lyse Lemieux, Personnages, 2020, Mosiac tile mural.
Photo credit: Provoque Studios, courtesy of the artist.
Sharing the art we love is a joyous and fulfilling experience, making our profession both fun and exciting. We are passionate about art because it allows us to share our experiences and emotions, connecting people through shared aesthetic and cultural values. We feel a deep responsibility to advise our clients thoughtfully and wisely, bringing joy and impact from one person to another and ultimately changing lives through art. We present works that are not only meaningful to individuals and families but also capable of bringing about positive change in communities and society at large.
Art has the power to turn humans into legends and symbols of hope. It challenges conventional notions and redefines what it means to be Canadian, American, or a global citizen in a politically divisive world. Art helps us understand what drives us, what defines our values, and how we can dispel darkness and fear to bring about change. It evokes emotions, sometimes joy, sometimes contemplation, and sometimes a profound sense of connection.
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