Public Art

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Picture Perfect Public Art in Ottawa

You don’t have to be inside a gallery to appreciate art. This city is filled with unique public art pieces and commemorations that offer fun photo ops. Get ready to strike a pose! By Misa Kobayashi.

From left: "The Living Room" at City Hall, photo credit National Capital Commission. "Maman" at the National Gallery of Canada, photo credit Louise Bourgeois Trust.

THE LIVING ROOM
This piece of work, from architecture design firm Urban Keios, inverts public and private space by situating everyday objects and activities in public view. The fun colours and shapes, as well as its surprising placement outdoors, make this an entertaining stop for families. The piece encourages public interaction, so whether you’re reading, resting, conversing, or playing, the audience becomes part of the art.
Where: Ottawa City Hall, Laurier Avenue

MAMAN
Obviously, not for anyone who’s afraid of spiders. This towering bronze creature by Louise Bourgeois stands nine metres tall, looming over all who venture under her. It’s up to you to decide if she’s protective or menacing, but it certainly makes for an impressive photograph to show the folks back home.
Where: National Gallery of Canada

Photo credit: National Capital Commission.

OSCAR PETERSON
When walking past the National Arts Centre downtown, you’ll probably notice the Oscar Peterson commemoration. Unveiled by Queen Elizabeth in 2010, this figure represents the late Canadian jazz virtuoso, whose music continues to influence musicians today. The artist, Ruth Abernethy, crafted the piece to invite visitors to have a seat at the piano next to the legendary music man.
Where: Corner of Elgin Street and Slater Street (more…)

75 Things Kids Love About Vancouver

In honour of the Where brand’s 75th anniversary, we present 75 things that tots, tykes and teens love about the city

By Sheri Radford // Photos By KK Law

Ideal sandcastle territory: Second Beach on English Bay

1 Seeing the entire city spread out below from the top of the Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre.
2 The blue whale skeleton at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum.
3 Watching larger-than-life movies in the OMNIMAX Theatre.
4 Oh-so-thick milkshakes at Marble Slab Creamery.
5 Exploring the 1950s gallery at the Museum of Vancouver.
6 Douglas Coupland’s 8-m- (25-ft-) tall “Digital Orca” art installation outside the Vancouver Convention Centre, which looks like it was built entirely out of giant Lego blocks.
7 Satisfying a sweet tooth at The Candy Aisle.
8 Splashing around in the Granville Island Waterpark.
9 Watching the CAF Snowbirds roar overhead during the Abbotsford International Airshow (Aug. 12 to 14).
10 Pirate Paks from White Spot. Aarrgghh, matey!
11 Spotting all of the wildlife in Stanley Park—but staying far, far away from skunks.
12 Making sandcastles on the beach.
13 Science World at Telus World of Science. Who knew learning could be so much fun?
14 Watching a Vancouver Canadian hit one right out of the park at Nat Bailey Stadium.
15 The Superdogs at the PNE (Aug. 20 to Sep. 5). And the mini donuts. And the gravity-defying rides. And pretty much everything about the PNE, really. Bonus: this year, kids aged 13 and under get in free.
16 Riding a bike along the seawall.

On a sunny summer's day, kids of all ages can't resist the playground at Stanley Park's Second Beach

17 Sipping a freckled lemonade (sweet strawberries mixed with tangy lemonade) at Red Robin.
18 All of the kites and puppets for sale in the aptly named Kites & Puppets shop.
19 Learning about First Nations culture at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC.
20 The mind-boggling assortment of comic books and action figures at Golden Age Collectables.
21 Running around with Fido or Rover in off-leash dog parks.
22 Jumping when the Nine O’Clock Gun goes off each evening in Stanley Park.
23 Playmobil toys at The Granville Island Toy Company.
24 Zipping along on the SkyTrain.
25 Rain. After all, rain creates mud puddles, and mud puddles create fun.
26 Getting the creeps at the Vancouver Police Museum. Forensics workshops are ideal for kids with an interest in the science of police work.
27 Seeing orcas up close on a whale watching tour.

Granville Island's Kids Market

28 The Disney Store in Metropolis at Metrotown.
29 Riding Aquabus Ferries or False Creek Ferries to Granville Island.
30 Roaring along with the lions and tigers at the Greater Vancouver Zoo.
31 Caramel apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
32 Watching jumbo jets take off from Vancouver International Airport.
33 Kayaking around False Creek.
34 Snuggling into a thick fleece blanket to enjoy musicals under the setting sun at Theatre Under the Stars (to Aug. 20).
35 A big bowl of spaghetti—perfect for slurping up one piece at a time—at The Old Spaghetti Factory. Bonus: every dinner ends with ice cream.
36 Seeing the Vancouver Whitecaps—BC’s first Major League Soccer club—in action on Empire Field.
37 Grinder and Coola. These two orphaned grizzly bears live in the wildlife refuge on Grouse Mountain.
38 Spending a rainy day wandering through the Vancouver Art Gallery.
39 Making a splash in Kitsilano Pool or Second Beach Pool.
40 Cool organic clothing at Hip Baby and Dandelion Kids.
41 Hopping around in the ball room at Ikea.
42 Totem poles.
43 Watching the Celebration of Light (Aug. 3 and 6) fireworks light up the skies over English Bay.
44 Finding the perfect bead for a craft project at Beadworks.
45 Spending an hour—or five—exploring the Kids Market on Granville Island.
46 All of the movies filmed here, such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Tron: Legacy, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, Deck the Halls, Jumanji, Elf, Air Bud, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Night at the Museum and the Twilight series.
47 Riding the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay.

Bill Reid's "Chief of the Undersea World" welcomes visitors to the Vancouver Aquarium

48 Seeing the BC Lions football team score touchdown after touchdown on Empire Field.
49 Learning about pirates, shipwrecks and sunken treasure at the Vancouver Maritime Museum.
50 Watching Shakespeare’s plays performed in a tent at Bard on the Beach (to Sep. 24).
51 Getting an adrenaline rush on Cliffwalk at the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
52 Exploring the solar system at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.
53 Handcrafted wooden cars from Knotty Toys.
54 Meeting all of the baby animals at Maplewood Farm.
55 Cory Monteith. The Glee star was raised in Victoria and began his acting career here in Vancouver, appearing in locally filmed TV shows such as Smallville, Stargate SG-1 and Supernatural.
56 Browsing for the perfect summertime read in Kidsbooks.
57 Watching buskers perform on Granville Island.
58 Getting lost (and found again!) in Meadows Maze and in the Elizabethan hedge maze at VanDusen Botanical Garden.
59 Biting into a juicy burger from Nimby Burger while enjoying the sunshine on Kits Beach.
60 Riding the 99-year-old carousel at the Burnaby Village Museum.
61 All of the exotic birds in the Bloedel Conservatory.
62 Walking a pooch in Pacific Spirit Regional Park.
63 Flying a kite in Vanier Park.
64 Seeing the forest from above on the Greenheart Canopy Walkway in UBC Botanical Garden.
65 Racing around Richmond Go-Kart Track.
66 All of the different types of hot dog—and different brands of root beer—at Dougie Dog.
67 Riding the miniature railway at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park.
68 Finding the perfect pair of frog- or flower-adorned gumboots at Gumdrops.
69 All of the exotic sights, sounds and aromas of Chinatown.
70 Seeing The Wiggles perform (Aug. 9).
71 Sleepovers at the Vancouver Aquarium, to find out first-hand what the 70,000 animals do after dark.
72 Panning for gold at the Britannia Mine Museum.
73 Cupcakes of every size and colour at Cupcakes.
74 Watching seaplanes take off from the inner harbour.
75 Sunny days that go on forever.

Hot Attraction: Public Art on Bank Street

Photo credit: Public Art Bicyle Rack by Amy Thompson, Bank Street North. Commissioned by City of Ottawa.

Keep an eye out for the innovative Public Art Bicycle Racks when walking along Bank Street. These bold, sometimes playful, and always unexpected designs were created by local artists, and chosen from more than 160 submissions. With some 30 eye-catching designs and 90 racks, these stainless steel panels allow Ottawa’s cyclists to lock onto something beautiful. The functional public art project, launched in 2008, has designs ranging from local scenery and animals to more abstract constructions.

15 Things We Love About Vancouver: January and February

Skating at Robson Square, popular during the 2010 Winter Games, is back in 2011. Photo copyright Sergeibach/Dreamstime

1 Reliving Olympic magic while ice skating in Robson Square (open daily until the end of Feb.), and all the other winter activities in our city.
2 The clean, crisp winter air.
3 Listening to live jazz while cutting into a sizzling steak at O’Doul’s Restaurant & Bar.
4 The most stylish salon in town, the new C:EHKO Hair Concepts.
5 The fact that pretty much every city block contains at least one coffee shop.
6 Heading to shopping centres for steals and deals on winter clearance items—spring items are already appearing on shelves.

The Olympic Cauldron is on Vancouver's waterfront. Photo by Sheri Radford

7 Indulging in dim sum on a weekend afternoon at Sun Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant.
8 Watching the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra perform at the Orpheum.
9 Abstracts by local artist Lesley Finlayson in New Paintings at Elissa Cristall Gallery (Jan. 29 to Feb. 26).
10 Warming up with a pot pie and pint of ale at The Irish Heather.
11 Getting rid of a hangover from New Year’s Eve by plunging into the ice-cold ocean for the annual Polar Bear Swim.
12 Indulging in sweet treats with your honey on Valentine’s Day or any day.
13 Checking out all the giant sculptures and billboards around the city that are part of the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, which ends this summer.
14 Anticipating the new Pacific Centre location of Michael Kors, opening in late January, complete with clothing, sportswear, accessories, fragrances and eyewear.
15 The Olympic Cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza, and other reminders of the 2010 Winter Games.

Hot Art: What Lies Beneath

Watch marine life while simultaneously admiring the Vancouver skyline aboard an Aquabus. Photo by A. Rios, courtesy Tourism Vancouver

Get up close and personal with False Creek’s underwater residents with artist Fiona Bowie’s public art installation Surface. Bowie has mounted a video camera underneath an Aquabus (pictured), which will track marine activity for up to five years. Watch the live feed on the ferry’s TV monitors, or on two large-scale screens on Granville Island, or online at www.surfacer.ca.—Kristina Urquhart

Hot Art: Art All Around

Photo copyright Geoffrey Farmer, 2009, courtesy City of Vancouver

With Mapping and Marking, Vancouver has commissioned eight public art projects meant to enhance our city’s already exciting landscape. Check out local conceptual artist Geoffrey Farmer’s Every Letter in the Alphabet project (pictured), located in an exhibition space at 1875 Powell St., or a large-scale cross bearing the words “East Van,” at Knight and Clark streets.—Kristina Urquhart

15 Things We Love About Vancouver: February

1 The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. After years of preparation, the biggest party this city has ever seen is starting.

Olympic mascots Quatchi and Miga don their cheerful red mittens. Photo copyright VANOC/COVAN

2 Our cuddly Games mascots Quatchi and Miga, especially when they’re wearing their Vancouver 2010 Red Mittens.
3 The fact that it’s only a short car or bus ride from the beach to the snow-capped mountains. How many other cities can claim the same?
4 Walking along the shoreline in a pair of rubber boots.
5 The world’s largest Canadian flag, near the Olympic Countdown Clock.
6 Celebrity spotting. Rumour has it that supermodel Cindy Crawford, swimmer Michael Phelps, actor George Clooney and NASA astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Thomas Stafford and Eugene Cernan will all be in town during the 2010 Winter Games, as well as U.S. president Barack Obama.
7 Pedestrian corridors along parts of Robson, Granville, Beatty, Hamilton and Mainland streets.

The massive Canada flag behind the Olympic Countdown Clock is a perfect photo opportunity. Photo by KK Law

8 The large inukshuk that sits in English Bay.
9 The love and appreciation for all things local and sustainable, including food, drink and even clothing.
10 Skiing and snowboarding on local mountains.
11 Stanley Park, one of the largest urban parks in the world.
12 Enjoying a hot drink while people-watching on South Granville, Robson Street or Granville Island.
13 The clean, crisp winter air.
14 Public art installations that make our city even more interesting than it already is.
15 Red and white everywhere. The Canadian Olympic Committee has invited local residents and businesses to proudly wear and display our national colours.

Hot Art: Laugh Out Loud

Yue Minjun's collection of statues at English Bay. Photo by KK Law

When you’re out and about in the city, you’re bound to see the numerous public art installations that make up the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, on now until 2011. Stop by English Bay’s Morton Park to see “A-maze-ing Laughter” (pictured) by Chinese artist Yue Minjun. The larger-than-life, cast-bronze statues depict Minjun’s own face in a state of hysterical laughter, encouraging the viewer to share in his joy. And let’s face it—every now and then, we all need a good chuckle.—Kristina Urquhart

Luminato Preview—Visual Art Abounds

Free public art installations have always been important pillars of Luminato’s programming, and this year is no exception. On display for the duration of the festival, these visual arts encounters are as inventive as they are unavoidable.

David Rockebys Long Wave installation is part of Luminatos Communication/Environment art programming (photo by Craig Moy).

David Rockeby's Long Wave installation (photo by Craig Moy).

1. Communication/Environment examines physical responses to invisible stimuli (such as sound or electromagnetic radiation) in three projects, including Long Wave, a large-scale installation at Brookfield Place (181 Bay St.) by Toronto artist David Rockeby, which deconstructs the image of a sine wave.

2. Don’t be startled by the giant sphere looming over you. This isn’t an episode of The Prisoner, but Kurt Perschke’s RedBall Project Toronto, which places, well, an oversized orb around the city to foster creative engagement with public spaces and landmarks.

The RedBall Project rolled up to Toronto's Old City Hall (photo by Craig Moy).

3. The festival’s affection for the guitar is visually manifested in Shadow Notes, an exhibition at Yonge-Dundas Square that features huge music-related photographs by famed shooters Danny Clinch, Ralph Gibson and Police guitarist Andy Summers.

4. The compelling—some might say unsettling—work of pioneering American new-media artist Tony Oursler finds a temporary home at Grange Park, directly south of the newly renovated Art Gallery of Ontario.