Public Artwork
Make West
Artwork creator(s):
Pechet, Bill; Robb, Stephanie
Text author(s):
Pechet, Bill; J. Leclip, Dr. Elizabeth
Installation year:
1997
Remarks on location:
Bronze shards pave 3 small ground level alcoves (or plazas) at the foot of a luxury condominium complex.
Description:
The piece can be found along the foundation of the building, on the waterfront walkway between Nicola and Cardero Streets. It is made of stones, plaques and objects cast in bronze that refer to the history of the area and act as a puzzle. Recently, the strata council has posted privacy signs in the 3 alcoves - however, the artwork is visible from the sidewalk.
Text of the artwork:
Incomplete
Chase not the goose but find solace
in the downy underlay of her
migrational desire. While we, earth-
bound (in the gravity of progress)
continue to segment our greatest o
mothers into cartesian nomenclatur
her wings cast after-images on our
rails, roads and ports
What systems, both major and
minor are complicit in this
symphony of locus-notion?
Text theme:
Official and unofficial local history (of Vancouver); urban geography; architecture; deployment of technology and measurement in the construction of Western Canada; displacement of flora and fauna in the wake of progress
Artwork theme:
Epic history of railway building in British Columbia; official and unofficial local history (of Vancouver)
History:
Installed in summer 1997. Note(s):
Sponsoring Organization: ASPAC Development
Artist Statement: "Make West is an attempt to represent the history of Coal Harbour and, by extension, Vancouver and Western Canada. It does so in the form of a series of shards, or extractions, which constitute a game." - The artist
City of Vancouver (2008) City of Vancouver Public Art Registry
http://app.vancouver.ca/PublicArt_Net/ArtworkDetails.aspx?ArtworkID=217&Neighbourhood=&Ownership=&Program=
Artist's biography:
Bill Pechet
Owner(s):
Private Collection Document(s):
Syndicate
