No wonder he’s laughing:
Yue Minjun’s A-maze-ing Laughter at Morton Park has approval from the City and Park Board to stay – so long as the Vancouver Biennale can raise the $1.5-million purchase price. (More here.) Founder Barrie Mowatt is optimistic (if not a little frustrated with bureaucratic process) based on the outpouring of public support. If affection could be turned into dollars, it will stay.
For those in the neighbourhood who see these sculptural figures regularly, the initial amusement may have passed – but not the pleasure of watching people interact with them. And the consequence of all that touchy-feely interaction is evident on closer look – in particular on some of the hands and feet.
So many people have stood on the feet of these benevolent giants as they’ve had their pictures taken, and stroked the hands within reach, that they have worn away whatever coating covered the original metal, and left them silver-toed and shoeless.
Loved your west end tour of historic gay vancouver, Gordon! Arranged of course by David Holtzman for Pride. Thanks to your patter we met as a circle of laughing men in that park, with the statues of laughing men all around us!