With the arrival of fall weather in Vancouver, it’s the perfect time to pick up your umbrella, grab a hot cup of coffee and explore some of amazing pieces of public art in the West End.
1. A-maze-ing Laughter + Delany’s Coffee House
Probably the West End’s most popular artpiece, Yue Minjun’s bronze sculpture portrays his own image in a state of hysterical laughter. And, it provides tourists and locals alike with endless photo opportunities at Morton Park. “My work is both fantasy and fiction. It is a description of the real world through my eyes, reinventing oneself through non-reality.” – Yue Minjun
2. Offsite: Vancouver Art Gallery + Thierry Chocolaterie Patisserie Café
The Shangri-La at 1100 West Georgia Street provides a home to the Vancouver Art Gallery’s Offsite collection. Offsite serves as a locus for local and international contemporary artists to explore issues related to the surrounding urban context. Visit often to see the ever-changing exhibitions at this location.
3. Portal + Milano
Located at Second Beach Concession Stand in Stanley Park is Jon Reed and Christina Gray’s “Portal.” These three circular paintings of Vancouver architectural icons show the interior of the B.C. Binning House (1941), the interior of the Bloedel Conservatory (1969) and a domestic view of the Graham House (1963) by Arthur Erickson.
4. Look + Greenhorn Espresso Bar
At Nelson Park, Mole Hill Greenway, you’ll see how Nicole May was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh for her piece, “Look.” The geometric designs are abstractions of images, colours taken from the neighbourhood, and intended to reflect the historic restoration of Mole Hill.