The weather forecast was for clouds and rain, so Linda was the only hardy soul to show up for Saturday's walk in the West End. It turned out to be one of the most pleasant, sunny days we have enjoyed lately. We met Lorna at Robson & Denman, following the City of Vancouver pamphlet entitled "Public Art Walk." Today's outing picks up from last Saturday's art walk between Canada Place and the Westin Bayshore hotel complex.
We followed the dotted line to 845 Chilco to stare up the "undulating concrete relief panels" attached to the front of this (my guess) 15 storey apartment building overlooking Lost Lagoon. This was shaping up to be an architectural experience.
Along the eastern border of Stanley Park we admired The Presidio, another tall eloquent condominium at 2080 Barclay Street. The architect, Richard Henriquez, designed this structure from "stretches, cuts, flips" and layered building parts "according to the fictional narratives he writes as his conceptual guide." In other words: he made it up as he went along! One rounded corner is topped by a turret-like cap; the front looks like it was intended for another project that didn't take flight, so he stuck the rectangular glass and steel panel onto that part of the more sedate white concrete building.
We passed David Oppenheimer's bust at the foot of Beach Avenue, on the lawn overlooking English Bay. He was Vancouver's Mayor 1888-1891; prior to that, he lobbied behind the scenes for Coal Harbour Peninsula to be designated as a park. His efforts - and Lord Stanley's generosity - gave Vancouver the stunningly situated and heavily forested Stanley Park, a lasting legacy to city citizens and visitors.
At 1919 Beach Avenue is The Eugenia high-rise, with an oak tree growing on the roof at the front of the building above the entrance. The shape of the front of the building between the rooftop tree and the ground floor doorway is shaped like a hypodermic needle; there is a reason for that, I'm told. The owner/developer had a son/brother (not sure of details) who was a drug addict and died of an overdose. This feature of the high-rise was a memorial to that the unfortunate young man.
Everyone knows the Sylvia Hotel at 1154 Gilford Street; "sheets of ivy cover brick and terracotta detailing on this former apartment building converted after the Depression to a hotel. In the 1980's it was expanded to include a restaurant and condominium tower." What more can anyone say other than it is a charming reminder of the "good old days."
We also passed by the George Cunningham Memorial Sundial erected in 1967 to commemorate three men who bought land on English Bay "so far from the city centre." The write-up doesn't say how long ago they purchased the land, but in the 1800's the city centre was Gas Town. The sundial honours their shrewdness and foresight - which I suspect was more likely due to the availability of cheap land away from the pollution and overcrowding of the downtown area of the time!
A more endearing and deserved memorial is the fountain in Alexander Park, just east of Davie Street along Pacific Boulevard. The "granite water fountain...is dedicated to the memory of Joe Fortes, long time lifeguard at English Bay Beach." It was dedicated in 1927 and includes an etching of Joe, who was a favourite of the children while enjoying their time swimming and sunning under his watchful eye.
Our walk continued along Beach Avenue above the seawall walkway and past the Inukshuk constructed by Alvin Kanak in 1986 for the Northwest Territories Pavilion at Expo '86. In April this year, an article in the daily papers said this grand structure had to be taken down due to some problem with the supporting landfill - an April Fool's joke that went unappreciated. Inukshuk figures are an Inuit tradition set on shore as a "symbol of safe harbour and landmark to help people find their way."
Just west of the Burrard Bridge, across the inlet from Granville Market, is the Aquatic Centre on Beach Avenue where Lorna found The Swimmer, "an abstract steel sculpture" which "mimics the action of a swimmer cutting through water." Designed by George Norris and erected in 1977 at the entrance to the pool on Pacific Boulevard.
I have quoted short passages from the city's walk pamphlet because they are appropriately descriptive and brief and I am lazy today.
From here, we parted ways, with Linda and I taking the harbour ferry to Granville Island. The day was mild and sunny, perfect for outings. After a brief walk-about, we caught the #50 bus to Broadway and Cambie and transferred to the 99 B-Line west to Commercial Drive, where we said our good-byes.
Next weekend, we start at Burrard Bridge and walk east along the north shore of False Creek to continue our treasure hunt for public art.
Contributor Virginia
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