Cultural Olympiad: Taiwanese Nostalgia and Artists’ Videos Adorn the Vancouver Art Gallery

All during the 2010 Winter Olympics and until May 2, The Vancouver Art Gallery exhibits an outdoor display that is part of the Cultural Olympiad.  The outside of the Georgia Street wall of the Art Gallery is covered by a vibrant red floral mural, an expanded version of fabric designs common in Taiway in the early 20th century.  This”big flower fabric’ as it is known in Taiwan, was used by couples on their wedding night and were part of a woman’s dowry, usually used as duvet covers on the wedding-night bed.

The hand painted mural that adorns the VAG, by Taiwanese artist Michael Lin, is one part of an installation called “A Modest Veil” that includes floral covers for books in the gallery’s gift shop and T-shirts worn by the staff.

Most Vacouverites have been looking at it askance wondering why that gairsh wallpaper is plastered on the front of this historic neo-classical building in a popular public plaza.  Artist Lin points out it’s part of a public dialogue with 2010 related banners and wraps on the exteriors of building facing onto or visible from the Art Gallery plaza.

On the Robson Street side of the gallery, across from the GE Ice Plaza, just above the steps where people lounge or protesters often gather, is a huge screen flashing a continual video show of unusual images.   This is CUE: Artists’ Videos an exhibition of video art.

These two exhibits transform the exterior of the Art Gallery into a freely accesible open-air exhibition space so that the public can experience contemporary experimental film and vido and art in a new way.  More than seventy artists have contributed to this exciting international program.  Included are works that address cinematic language in video, utliize performances made specifically for the camera or witness unfolding world events.  There are also some that address everyday occurances, highlight music and sound or examine the age of spectacle in which we live.  Each program runs continuously on selected days between 5.00 am and 2.00 am.

Both of these exterior art exhibits will run until May 2.

VANCOUVER ART GALLERY

750 Hornby St.

604-662-4700

Vancouver City Centre Station, Canada Line

PHOTOS by W. Ruth Kozak