Sign O' the Times

 

I've posted about the Woodward's building before, and its iconic W sign. The old sign that sat atop the Woodward's store for decades was removed before the original building was demolished, but it was too decrepit to return to service atop the new construction. A new sign, a replica of the old, was put there instead. I didn't realize until recently that the old sign has been installed as a public art piece on the ground adjacent to the new building. It's a relic, pockmarked with rust, red paint flaking, but I'm glad in a self-servingly nostalgic way that they kept it and have put it on display. I managed to find an angle, while walking through that area one day, that included both signs, the old one at ground level, and the new shiny one perched atop its tower. On the left is the new residential Woodwards development.

Post title from this song by Prince.

Take Me To The Riot

A couple of days ago, I posted a little bit about the Woodwards Building and its "W" sign that's been an iconic part of the Gastown skyline for decades. Not long after posting that photo, I went down to check out the Woodwards redevelopment for myself, and maybe take some photos of artwork at that location by renowned Vancouver-based artist Stan Douglas. The public atrium of one of the buildings has, as one of its windows, a huge photographic recreation of riots that occurred in the neighbourhood between hippies and police in August of 1971. The piece is large: 13 metres wide by 8 metres high, and I struggled to take a photo that did it justice. So instead I stood almost directly under it, pointed my camera up and got a shot of the reflection of the new multimillion dollar residential tower across the courtyard, that replaced the old Woodwards department store building.

For a photo of, and article about, the creation of the artwork, click here.

Post title from this Stars song.

Wondering Where the Lions Are

I took this photo the other day as I was bicycling along the newly created bike lane on the Dunsmuir Viaduct (the westbound twin to the Georgia Viaduct I mentioned here). Though it's not an especially artful shot, it does include a couple of Vancouver icons. On the right is the double peaked mountain that is referred to as The Lions, due to the resemblance to a couple of resting lions. From this mountain's name we get the names of the Lions Gate Bridge and the BC Lions football team. On the left hand side of the photo is the large red "W" sign, a remnant from the old Woodwards building, since torn down and the site turned into a residential tower and shopping complex.

In the foreground is Andy Livingstone Park. The buildings you see are, from right to left, the western edge of Chinatown merging into the Gastown neighbourhood, with the towers on the left the beginning of the downtown core.

Post title from this Bruce Cockburn song.