Vancouver’s vibrant art scene makes it well-known for its culture in addition to its breathtaking landscapes, with some of its public art installations being recognized all round the world.
Here’s a glimpse of some of the incredible artwork around town.
A-Maze-Ing Laughter
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfkXLIaHtKB/?taken-at=47751
A gift given to Vancouver right before the 2010 Winter Olympics, these laughing men were installed by Yue Minjin in English Bay. Two years later, Chip Wilson and wife donated approximately $1.5 million to be able to buy the statues for the city.
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Trans-Am Totem
https://www.instagram.com/p/BediX0_Bxwm/?tagged=transamtotem
A solid representation of throw-away consumerism culture, this statue was installed in Downtown Vancouver (Quebec Street and Milross Avenue, specifically) in 2015 by Marcus Bowcott.
Should I Be Worried?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BemWMzEBrHk/?tagged=shouldibeworried
Located on the False Creek Seawall, the sign was created by Justin Langlois, as a way of bringing attention to all the qualms Vancouverites face – sea level rise, housing, personal worry.
East Van Cross
https://www.instagram.com/p/BetD3PkAWHI/?tagged=eastvancross
Installed in East Vancouver in 2010 and created by Ken Lum, it was made as a graffiti descendant. The cross represents hope, divide, and travel across space and time.
Totem Poles
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfl337nhgi8/?taken-at=316665146007
Started at Lumberman’s Arch in the 1920’s, these totem poles located in Stanley Park celebrate First Nations culture. There are nine in total, the newest one added in 2009.
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The Words Don’t Fit The Picture
https://www.instagram.com/p/BezmJ3KltpX/?tagged=vancouverlibrary
Created by artist Ron Terada, this artwork prompts the public to look at the relationships between urban space and architecture. It also plays into the neon-light association Vancouver had going for it, having had almost 19,000 illuminated signs at one time.
Engagement
https://www.instagram.com/p/BffCVEPDD0q/?taken-at=47751
Created by Dennis Oppenheim, this sculpture is located in English Bay and is nearly 30 feet high. It references traditional engagement rings in a pop art form, an open-ended comment on the precariousness of marriage.
Nobody Likes Me
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfJ1iLcHKcU/?tagged=nobodylikesme
This artwork created by IHeart was shared by Banksy himself, creating a giant worldwide sensation. It’s located in Stanley Park and is a comment on the reliance of social media.
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