Did you know that Vancouver has its very own outdoor art gallery?
Platforms: Nine Places for Seeing spans several unexpected public locations including billboards, SkyTrain stations, plazas, transit shelters and the windows of well-known cultural institutions. It is the first time that the Platforms program, run by the City of Vancouver, has been dedicated to exclusively displaying the work of Indigenous artists. It was developed in collaboration with advisors from each of Vancouver’s Host Nations and over the course of its two years, will feature newly commissioned art by 21 local xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and urban Indigenous artists.
Check out the following ‘platforms’ when you’re out and about in Downtown Vancouver!
Austin Harry Salish Spirit
When: Showing at 12 noon, daily until February 26, 2024
Where: VanLive! screen at the corner of Granville and Robson
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Digital Artist Austin (Aan’yas) Harry presents his 3D animated video, Salish Spirit. The animation features the thunderbird, an important figure in Salish legends who represents connection to the Creator. We follow Thunderbird’s journey traversing through Vancouver’s cityscapes and other local landscapes along the sea to sky. Austin is an Emily Carr graduate who bases his work in traditional Coast Salish Design and this is his first public art commission for the City of Vancouver. In his own words: “Having Salish legends and stories brought to life in the center of the downtown core would be a great opportunity to show residents of and visitors to Vancouver the rich cultural identity tied to the land that they are a part of.”
Kitty Guerin sʔi:ɬqəy̓
When: on display in the until the end of May 2024
Where: Atrium of the Central downtown branch of the Vancouver Public Library
Kitty Guerin’s banners illustrate the story of sʔi:ɬqəy̓, the double-headed serpent: a significant part of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) history, the origin of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm name and a symbol of eternal connection to the land. The fact that this piece is at the library is fitting as the artist’s goal was to encourage education through art that connects to decolonization and truth and reconciliation. You might notice that Kitty’s piece doesn’t contain traditional Coast Salish Design elements, a distinction that she hopes will serve as a reminder that indigenous “artwork shouldn’t be limited only to the artists who have access to learning traditional art,” as she explains. “Distancing Indigenous peoples from the misconception of being ‘one and the same’ is important in relation to individual identity. Indigenous people are more than just the group we belong to. We are people of varying cultural backgrounds, with separate minds, differing experiences, and unique personalities. That is why I created this work in a style that is personal to me. My goal isn’t to remove myself from any association with my ancestors, but the opposite. I want to bring myself closer to them by representing xʷməθkʷəy̓əm in a way that is unique to my own imagination and visualization as I reflect on our history.”
SGidGang.Xaal, Shoshannah Greene Raven N’ The City
When: on display until March 15, 2024.
Where: Window of Canada Line City Centre Station
Vancouver is considered the ‘big city’ for many people who visit, including artist, and another Emily Carr graduate, Shoshannah Greene who grew up in Haida Gwaii. She describes the experience of arriving here: “There’s a moment where you stop and realize you’re not at home and there is so much possibility of what to do outside of small-town life’s routine. And no matter how many times we come back, it can always feel a little overwhelming with where to start first.” Shoshannah trained as an animator and she uses classical Haida formline to create designs like this one. Here, the Raven (Nang Kilslaas) arrives amongst the high-rise buildings of Downtown Vancouver, removes its mask, and transforms into a human, with arms and legs taking the place of wings. The piece is a testament to the historic connection Haidas have with Vancouver and the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.
More platforms, artwork and perspectives have been installed by artists Shain Niniwem Selapem Jackson, Soloman Chiniquay, jaz whitford, Adele Arseneau, Aaron Nelson-Moody, Olivia George, Lauren Crazybull, Atheana Picha, Lisa Lewis (Xwemilut) and Robin Roberts. They are available to engage with and reflect upon at the following locations. Use the Translink journey planner to navigate you to each one!
- Billboards along 6th Avenue between Arbutus and Fir
- Light box at šxʷƛ̓ exən Xwtl’a7shn Plaza
- Banners at Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch
- Glass wall at City Centre Canada Line Station
- Transit shelter posters throughout the city
- VanLive! video screen, Robson St and Granville St
- Glass wall at Marine Drive Canada Line Station
- Windows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre
- Windows at the Vancouver Playhouse
By Harriet Goodwin
Feature image: Robin Robert’s Coming Home To