Fashion Fiction: the Vancouver Art Gallery

And Some Serious Strolling

I believe a big part of Canada's major strength is anchored by its cultural diversity. Over my lifetime, immigration to Canada has ushered in profound change. While some will strongly challenge my assessment, I offer it as a friendly neighbor leaning over the fence. In fact, I believe neighbors are frequently better at spotting what we cannot see ourselves. As an example I typically trust the critical assessment of US politics presented in Toronto's Globe and Mail over anything published in the US.

I firmly believe that, although not without pain, Canada's decades of cultural assimilation has deepened a national understanding of global issues, while solidifying a stronger foundation for Canada in its expanding role in international commerce and diplomacy. 

And, as a friendly neighbor, I can assure you that your efforts stand in contrast to those now held in my own beloved nation. During the same time frame we in the US have increasingly looked inward and perfected a national agoraphobia. Many US citizens are now consumed by fear with a capital "F". And this Fear is increasingly manifest in violence and vitriol directed at anyone with differing complexions, religions, gender identities and / or languages. Ring the wrong doorbell and get shot through the door by some twit "standing their ground".

By never putting our phones down (I too admit this with guilt) we have become numb to the relentless clickbait lies delivered to us 24/7. The lies are now highly personalized, manipulative and intended to be triggering. Just like the meddling in our elections, the lies are generated by trolls in St. Petersburg. Lincoln was right "a house divided cannot stand". By strategic use of social media our sworn enemies have convinced us to arm ourselves, choose sides and prepare for a second civil war. 

But on a happier note...

One thing is for sure in Canada. The increasing wealth of diversity sure as hell has improved Canada's formerly dismal food scene. Lets face it peameal bacon, maple syrup and ice wine only goes so far.

But now - wow, Canada's food scene is dazzling! Exhibit 1, was my hotel breakfast. What a wonderful blend of cultural influences; panko crusted crab scotch eggs with dukkah dusted avocado. 

Damn!

A Simple, Kinda Epic, Breakfast

 

After a breakfast like that I knew I had to get my butt in gear and seize the day. And, I decided it would be a museum day. 

 

Now, for first timers to Vancouver (with only enough time to visit one museum) I'd strongly advise a visit to its Anthropological Museum at the UBC (University of British Columbia). The building is arguably Arthur Erickson's finest masterwork, and the collection it holds is the best of its kind in the world.

 

But as I've visited it many times, I felt it was time for something new and decided to visit the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG).

My arrival to the VAG brought two surprises: first, the main entrance is not at all where it should be, and second, the museum presents zero traditional, historical and / or fine art. Instead, its focus is on an ever changing series of unique exhibitions.

Nope, Not the Front Door

To find the sad new entry to the VAG you'll have to walk around to the back of the building where the current entrance was relocated to face Robson Square (the building being modeled in the middle of the night all those years ago.) 

In Robson Square Erickson made full use of his "Noble Stone of the Twentieth Century" (concrete). But, now Robson Square's aesthetic feels pretty tired and brutal.

 

Robson Square From the Entry to the VAG

Currently the VAG features two main exhibitions. The third floor presents the life and works of Abenaki filmmaker and activist Alanis Obosawin. The exhibit entitled "The Children Have to Hear Another Story" chronicles Obosawin's lifetime spent recording, preserving and celebrating indigenous cultures. The way history is presented to an outsider is pretty dense and can be confusing. But, taken in whole, it portrays a heartbreaking, yet ultimately hopeful, story.

The second major exhibit was Fashion Fictions. This exhibit surveys creative and highly experimental fashion; it is a slam dance of fashion created using unexpected materials and forms. To me it seemed like the natural progression of the work I saw from a young Issey Miyake nearly 50 years ago. Of special note to me were creations by Iris van Herpen (who was showcased in a fashion exhibit presented by the Phoenix Art Museum a few years back.)

The exhibit begins with a retrospective of eighties era efforts in fashion futurism. Then it goes on to presents examples of conceptual clothing using everything from paper to building construction materials.

 

Design Using Folded Paper

There is an entire gallery devoted to fashion examples using the imagery and inspiration of "puffy" coats.

Puffy Coats and Pants

A Puffer Blanket

Gethsemane Collection

Rick Owens (2021)
 

Utopie: But Beautiful III Collection (Silk)

Jun Takahashi (2017)

Hydro Medusa Dress Sensory Seas Collection

Iris van Herpen (2020)

 

Another Piece by van Herpen

Another Paper Dress

Stina Randestad (2022)

The exhibit was an enjoyable way to spend a morning. It left with the balance of my day to use to explore and just be a tourist along the at Coal Harbor promenade. It was some great people watching.

 

Roadboy's Travels © 2023

Roadboy Returns to Vancouver BC

Hurts to say it but.....

parts of one of my favorite cities in North America (Vancouver BC) are showing some stress.

As many of Roadboy's readers know Vancouver holds many fond memories for me. My first visit here was at age 6 years as part of a family visit to Seattle's Century 21 Worlds Fair in (gasp) 1962. That trip made a huge impression on me (changed my life?) ultimately cementing a desire to start my architectural career in Seattle.  

During that first trip we turned North and made a side trip to Vancouver where I found a vibrant city nestled between water and mountains, filled with amazing parks, and immaculately clean.

Subsequent trips included a slightly buzzed college trip (where upon knocking on the side door to Arthur Erickson's architectural office at midnight, we found a full studio of obsessed, hygiene impaired, chain smoking, young designers working on a huge cardboard model of Vancouver's future Robson Square). 

The next trips were for North America's last Worlds Fair (Expo 86), then a few years later to begin an Alaskan cruise with my family from Vancouver's new cruise terminal (Canada Place from Expo.) Still later we came to see editions of HSBC's (formerly annual) multi-day Festival of Light pyrotechnical extravaganza. 

This trip I arrived to chill a few days prior to taking a seaplane to Victoria to participate in a week long cycling vacation on Vancouver Island.

After so many visits I've been smitten by Vancouver's diversity, sense of history, commitment to compact housing, and steadfast, correct, and righteous objection to being sliced up by freeways (like Portland and Seattle.)

Arrival was efficient. After endless years of collecting a departure tax from residents, Vancouver has a wonderful Airport filled with dazzling art. From the airport I rode the SkyTrain (also a legacy begun during Expo 86). 

 Raven Greeting International Arrivals to Vancouver Airport (YVR)

Then things went wonky. 

The walk from the Yaletown Roundhouse Station to my AirBNB on Hornby had me dodging homeless encampments, litter, and drug paraphernalia. A lot of empty retail shops and for lease signs in evidence.

And, with sidewalks becoming a permanent home to drug addicts and the mentally ill, Vancouver's streets are shared by emergency response vehicles running lights and sirens and some fine ultra luxury cars, windows tightly rolled up, transporting their occupants to homes somewhere else.

The rampant "have / have not" class warfare of most major American cities is in evidence in Vancouver.

Upon arrival at my AirBNB, I found out I'd been scammed by a certain scumbag named Andrew Chen who was supposed to be my AirBNB "host". Apparently he sold his property a few months ago and failed to cancel his bookings. 

After using AirBNB with success for many years I now have my own horror story to add to those of others. I just never expected it would happen in a place I associate with integrity.

After spending about three hours with AirBNB reps (who could not find any trace of Andrew or any comparable booking for less than 4 times the price), I was able to convince them to refund my money. Sadly, they told me that there were numerous future bookings for Andrew and gave no evidence they'd be notifying his future victims. 

Ironically, the refund arrived saying "Andrew had to cancel". I guess that's AirBNB spin for enabling fraudulent hosts?

Luckily, I have lots of points with various hotels chains. And, with hotel room rates (for the few available rooms here in summer) running between a breathtaking $460 and $1789 a night (I am not making that up) I opted to cash in some precious points.

A long walk to the hotel lowered my blood pressure. And, after settling into my very nice Delta hotel, I found a perfect little Asian storefront eatery across the street to enjoy some Donburi.  

Lesson learned: book only from Super Hosts.

Deep cleansing breath. 

The real trip starts tomorrow.

 

Roadboy's Travels © 2023