May 19, 2021

Vancouver Biennale: The Controversy du Jour

It wouldn’t be a Biennale without a controversy.

Some Vancouverites may not know that the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale is a non-profit charitable organization that exhibits (primarily) sculpture in public spaces.  No taxpayer dollars involved, and no guaranteed permanence.  But they do know some of the pieces in prominent places very well – like this one:

 

 

On the day when ‘A-maze-ing Laughter’ was unveiled at English Bay for the 2005/7 Biennale,  curator Barrie Mowatt was on site for eight hours responding to people’s comments.  There wasn’t a single positive one.

Fortunately, he could assure them, the sculpture was only there temporarily – albeit for two years, like every piece in the Biennale  But in that time, the piece had become so well appreciated that a private donor purchased it for the City, when it was then permanently installed,

It’s not an uncommon scenario.  Likewise for ‘Trans-Am Totem’ on Quebec Street, near, appropriately, the Viaducts.  Or ‘The Giants’ on the silos of the concrete plant on Granville Island.  Or anywhere something new startles the nearby residents when it intrudes into their views and sensibilities.

So once again, the controversy begins, this time for a piece that hasn’t yet been put on display.  Say hello to the Boy Holding A Shark:

 

If he looks a bit familiar, it’s because this is another sculpture by Chen Wenling – the artist of ‘Proud Youth’, directly across False Creek, who is seemingly gazing down on the proposed site for his differently coloured mate.

Not a coincidence of course.  The idea of the Biennale is that one sculpture will be in view of another, drawing the viewers along as they discover not just another work of art but another neighbourhood, and eventually their city.  (It’s also why the Biennale sponsors the Bikennale and Walkannale*.)

‘Proud Youth’ is already a landmark on the North Shore, drawing attention and interpretation.  Joggers think it represents them.  Some find it mocking.  For many it has cultural resonance, drawn from a famous Chinese fable.   It’s art doing its thing.

In the case of ‘Boy Holding A Shark,’ it was chosen because it talks to the question of ocean sustainability.  It references the reality that sharks that were never here before are coming into our waters as ocean temperature rises, along with the sea level itself.

There’s a sadness, even a cry in the face of the boy holding the shark.  Is the animal dead?  Or is this an attempt to save it?

But for some of the locals on the south shore, it’s a view blocker, too in their face, too discordant, just inappropriate.  The complaints are flowing into City Hall.

The sculpture is to be installed this June on what looks to be an elevated podium next to the seawall, as though it was originally designed for some work that would act as a beacon on the creek.  With two works by the same artist of similar height and character on either side, the Biennale is using our great spaces and parks as one open and free public art gallery – with the controversies that inevitably ensue.

 

*Bikennale and Walkennale: “Combine love of outdoor recreation with love of great art. Self-guided walking and cycling tours are super fun and fully annotated with fascinating information on public art and points of cultural, historical and architectural interest throughout Metro Vancouver.”

 

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Comments

  1. That mini-plaza-podium has be crying out for something forever! Goo to see something installed there, even if temporary.

  2. I’m curious why West Van turned down Biennale’s attempt to install ‘Boy Holding A Shark’ last year. While Mowatt presents as the front person for Vancouver Biennale, curious readers might want to dig a bit deeper into its agenda and intentions. I’m of the opinion that viewing art should be a choice not a forced intrusion – a freedom I’ve taken for granted.

  3. A well written article, but misses the point of most of our objections. The location is the problem. It’s a very small area with 6 benches where people like to sit and view the sunset and watch the activity on the water. The only place to view this large installation would be on this very narrow part of the seawall. If you were to walk up to it, you need to be quick to cross the fast moving bike lane with blind curves from both directions. There are already a lot of mishaps at this curve without adding an enormous distraction.
    Try sitting there for an hour on a sunny weekend and you’ll see for yourself.

  4. Why does Biennale feel that they can impose their choice of art
    on a neighbourhood that clearly does not want it???

    I find it rather arrogant on Biennale’s part that while they state they are doing a public consultation on the installation of ‘Boy Holding Shark’ they have already prepared an installation date without hearing the outcome of the consultation?
    I can tell you that the residents in False Creek are overwhelmingly
    against the installation of this statue!!! This is our neighbourhood not Biennales!!!!

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