Vancouver can boast of numerous attractions and unique locations. Therefore, it’s popular among tourists and never suffers from a lack of attention. It seems that people like everything here, from climatic conditions to architecture and culture. It’s not surprising, as Vancouver harmoniously combines the old and modern styles. This feature can be traced literally in everything, but buildings and sculptures are the most vivid examples.
In this article, we want to tell you about a very interesting Vancouver sculpture. Having looked at it, every tourist will certainly wonder what it means and why it has been built. Let’s find it out!
Learn more about it at ivancouver.
Unusual object
The intersection of Quebec Street and Milross Avenue used to be decorated with a strange 11,340-kilogram and 10-metre-high sculpture.
It consisted of simple cars placed on each other in a certain order, standing on an old stump.
This installation was called Trans Am Totem. It was made by Vancouver artist Marcus Bowcott. The opening of the sculpture took place in the spring of 2015.
Components
The sculpture consisted of five cars: a Pontiac Trans Am, a BMW 7 Series (E38), a Honda Civic, a Volkswagen Golf Mk1 Cabriolet and a shortened Mercedes-Benz W201.
Each of the vehicles was taken from one of the local dumps and repainted in a much brighter colours.
Weight reduction
Before installing the cars, the sculptor removed their engines and transmissions. It resulted in a significant weight reduction. Then the cars were installed in a certain order on a pedestal of an old cedar stump.
The cars’ headlights and taillights are lit at night thanks to a solar panel installed on the Pontiac windshield.
Meaning of the sculpture
According to the creator’s idea, the sculpture’s concept relates to the 150-year history of the area.
Before the heavy industry was introduced in the region, there were large cedar forests. Over time, this area became an industrial sawmill and the forest zone began to be heavily cut down.
The place began to transform significantly in the 1980s. As a result, it acquired stadiums, skyscrapers and other signs of civilization. Of course, the number of cars in this area began to increase too.
The artist wanted to combine the past and the future in his sculpture.
In addition, Bowcott’s creation called for the love and preservation of nature.
Thus, the Vancouver Trans Am Totem sculpture actually carried a rather deep and important meaning. All those who considered it a simple pile of metal were very mistaken. As the famous saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover. You should always try to delve into the essence and meaning of a particular object. Thus, you can discover truly amazing facts and the necessity of a particular monument.
Photo source: nashvancouver.com