As I begin planning here for our first long-distance trip since 2019, I’m staying grounded by reminding myself of what there is to be seen in my own neighbourhood. As fervently as I hope that all will go well with our upcoming travel plans, I’m also aware of how vulnerable those plans are in the current context, so it seems wise to continue paying attention to the good and the beautiful and the interesting that surrounds us.
And much of that, here in Vancouver, can be found in the murals added to the landscape each year through the Vancouver Mural Festival. Before I switch my focus to far-off cities, I thought we could walk together to see the murals added to my neighbourhood — a neighbourhood in transition from light industrial to mixed-use industrial (digital; food prep; architectural, etc.) bordered by mid-rise condos, which are, in turn, bordered by three-storey heritage homes.
Below is a stunning example, still in process when I checked yesterday, two weeks after I snapped the photo at the top of the page. Ligwilda’xw Kwakwaka’wakw artist Sonny Assu‘s Dance As Though The Ancestors Are Watching on the side of a new building that houses the showroom for Contemporary Office Interiors. (I’m so grateful to those who donate the exteriors of their buildings to be painted, as well those who curate — choosing artists from so many submissions; soliciting locations; matching art to building surface specifications, etc.)
If you’re curious about the green lift you can see at the base of the painting and you’re putting that together with the mural’s height, check out this post by Derek Edenshaw, the Haida artist who, I surmise, executed the painting of Assu’s design.
I’m impatient to see the completed mural, but meanwhile wanted to include it in my tour. I’ll remember to post a photo when it’s finished, resplendent against another blue sky.
For now, though, we’ll move to the next mural on my VMF map. . .
This one’s on the side of the fabulous Pure Bread bakery‘s Mount Pleasant location — don’t you love the way the bakery’s picnic tables and umbrellas echo the colours of
Nicole Larsen‘s delightfully cheery mural.
Again, if you’re interested in the process of making a mural, check out Nicole’s short video which captures moments from chalking her first designs on the wall to painting the last details.
Browsing her Instagram account also gives a sense of the various stages involved, the work and the fun of creating a mural that has already become a welcome part of my walks.
The third mural we’ll stop at is the closest to my home.
It’s by Dimitri Sirenko and was commissioned by the Polish consulate (this link takes you to a good interview with the artist as well as details about the commission) to mark the 100th anniversary of the Polish author Stanislaw Lem.
As I commented in this post (where you’ll find my photo of the mural at an early stage, paint cans spread along the sidewalk in front of a tall ladder), Sirenko’s mural is titled The Reflection, and it responds to science fiction writer and philosopher Stanislaw Lem’s ideas about humanity’s drive for exploration, for searching out other worlds.
The artist’s “mural statement” reads: What is truly the reason behind humanity’s unquenchable desire to reach out far into the skies? Do we really wish to find other civilizations exceeding our own in technology, social development and overall intelligence or are we simply looking for our own reflection?
Some big ideas for me to think about as I head out on a walk in the afternoon. . .
And that wall wave peeling back, where it meets the sidewalk, to reveal those fish, that whole oceanic world, swimming just there, just beyond. . .
Meanwhile, though, I have two more new murals to show you , both within easy walking distance of my home. . . but I think I’ll save those for next post. Is this one already too long to share a photo of What I Wore Walking? Because I still have a few examples of OOTDs I’ve been wearing as the weather becomes more Fall, but I’m not quite ready to put my Summer gear away. . .
Okay, that’s all for today. I’ll be back later in the week to walk you to some other murals in my neighbourhood — and to share a few more outfits I’ve been putting together. Trying out dresses and skirts with bare legs and different shoe options. . . I’m not quite ready to get my tights out, but I must say they do solve a persistent sartorial problem.
Now tell me, are you still feeling the transition between the seasons, or are you solidly into Fall (or Spring, depending on your hemisphere)? And is that transition reflected in your wardrobe? Are you finding clever (or entertaining!) ways to make your clothes straddle seasons by combining or layering them? And finally, because I was thinking about this looking around the table this morning at my Italian class, noticing a few classmates who were celebrating the move from Zoom classes to IRL classes by dressing up a bit — shoes that we never would have noticed on those Zoom screens took on new importance — another big transition.
As is the one my husband and I are preparing for, after months of staying close to home . . . before long we’ll be moving through an airport, flying, riding trains, eating at restaurants, visiting art galleries. . .
But didn’t I just write “that’s all for today”? So I will stop, there, and leave the mic open for you. Comments welcome, as always.
xo,
f
What a wonderful gallery of images you walk through every day! Thanks so much for this. It’s uplifting. This is a time when, more than ever, we need art to see us through!
Author
I’m pleased you enjoyed them! So true about the need for art; I so appreciate projects like VMF that make art accessible to all, bringing it to the street.
The murals are wonderful! The movement, the colours, and the detail in “The Reflection” are amazing!
I always struggle to admit that summer is over, but since I now find myself reaching for the warmer pieces in my closet every day, it’s time to do my seasonal switch. I’m planning to be quite ruthless when it comes to weeding out summer clothes that need to be moved on instead of putting them back in storage.
Though we’re not planning any overseas travel just yet, if all goes according to plan, we’ll be walking the streets of Vancouver a couple of weeks from now. Maybe I’ll even seek out some of those murals!
Author
Isn’t that an astonishing mural? I’m so impressed by what these artists can adapt to, the scale and the different materials particularly.
Definitely moving into sweater weather now . . . although here what we’re hauling out are the rain boots and umbrellas! Remember to pack yours if your plans work out. 😉 There are murals all over the city, by the way — worth checking out the Vancouver Mural Festival website to see what mural walks you can plan near where you’re staying (the grandkids might enjoy that as well)
Thank you, Frances! I will definitely check that out.
I’m happy for you getting the chance to see the Italian Connection again. We miss the excitement of planning, getting the guides and maps out. The what if’s and the maybe we could, not to mention dreaming about the meals we would be eating, maybe.
When you are a regular traveller, it’s a huge part of your life that’s missing. I know, a first world problem. We realize how very fortunate we have been. It’s not exactly a hardship living where we do. It’s seems a lot of others think so also, as there is a building boom going on.
Next year is in the small planning state, so we shall see. We did not feel quite ready to be on a plane for such an extended time. If we had family there, we would be on that plane.
We haven’t even been to Vancouver for well over a year now. That will probably be rectified in the next month – maybe.
Author
Like you, we’ve missed the travel but we’ve also settled into what we have and can do right here. And honestly, if it weren’t for wanting — needing! — to see the kids, we would likely wait until next year. It’s going to be an interesting experience, feeling the difference with the boundaries we can and can’t maintain, finding what feels good and what feels safe. Transitional times. I’m sure you’ll find that with your trip to Vancouver, if that happens. . .
Thank you for the walking tour by some murals in your neighborhood, along with your background commentary. Nothing like it in my rural-like setting. Will catch glimpses of more murals next month when I spend a few days in Glasgow. There are some wonderful murals around the city and I like to hunt for them. Always such an unexpected delight to round a corner and see one before you. Will be savouring visits to art exhibitions, too.
Best of luck with your journey planning–almost half the fun–even if it is a tad more complicated these days.
Author
I haven’t been in Glasgow for 50 years! It will have changed so much in those decades and I’d love to revisit. Have you planned particular art exhibitions or will you just sate your hungry eyes with the regular magnificent collections? (I’m planning a few for us as well, finding that many institutions are still grinding the machinery back into gear. . .
You too, with the journey planning — and the journey itself, as I know you’re much closer to leaving than I am.
thanks for sharing those murals. You live in such an interesting city culture wise, always something to see to inspire one to get out and walk. here the days are still comfortably warm and mostly sunny, evenings cooler as we move toward Autumn. Two recent outfits where I tried to combine seasons. white boyfriend jeans with a pastel cashmere striped sweater, metalic sneakers, and tonight to a concert I wore a dress of dark eggplant, a very Fall color. I usually wear it will tall dark brown boots, tonight paired it with sandals. I had, to my delight, learned the day before that a local symphony was resuming in person performances. everyone masked and distanced, but so happy to have it back.
Author
Oooh, I like the sound of both those outfits, and I like the contrast between them. Plus you might have helped me solve a problem with a particular dress that doesn’t require an immediate default to tights (although the sandals I’m thinking of have a medium heel so maybe not 😉
I’ve noticed that there are a few concerts beginning to happen here — haven’t managed to hear in time to get tickets yet, but I can imagine your delight at being there, dressed up, listening to a live performance . . .
Thank you for sharing the beautiful murals with us- real art works indeed!
We don’t have a lot of them on new buildings,maybe some older walls and concrete fences- they add such a value
I don’t know what to say-today was 27°C,I was wearing linen trousers (so,yes,love your outfit!),silk cream tee and cream linen blazer ( we were sitting in the caffe in the shade and before 11 am)…. before ten days I was wearing light down jacket for walking in the park…so,all options are open indeed (except bare legs,I’m cold in the morning)
Dottoressa
Author
I think I remember some murals in Zagreb in an artsy area that works its way down a hill and finishes in a park? I’ll try to look through my photos to see if I can remember, but maybe you know what I mean.
27! Hm, it won’t be 27 here again this year, I shouldn’t think. It was gorgeous the last few days with highs of 19 or 20, but today there’s a “rainfall warning” — 30 mm expected — and it looks as if the week will be more rain, rain, rain. Your down jacket would get soaked! (I love the textures in your outfit, linen and silk and cream and caffee — so really, you should have some kava sa šlagom, no?
Thank you for the mural tour. Vancouver has some amazing art. We rarely get there these days as our Vancouver family has relocated to Victoria – and I’m not complaining!
Transition marks my clothing choices these days – a cozy third layer in the mornings and evenings, and often short sleeves in the sunny afternoons. This week is predicted to be rainy off and on, so we’ll see. It seems I’m frequently pulling on or off some item throughout the day.
Author
No, I wouldn’t complain about that at all — we were back and forth this week and bumped into ferry problems, sigh. . .
I’m with you on that cozy third layer, which then comes off during the day — not wanting to turn on any heat yet. . .