Blue Trees installation at Biennale

The Vancouver Biennale just announced the City of North Vancouver as host city for the 2014-2016 exhibition, transforming the historic Pipe Shop Building at the city’s waterfront into a destination infused with great art.  

The exhibition will include two public art installations in Upper Lonsdale plus a 9,000 square foot indoor exhibition space at the Pipe Shop Building in Shipbuilders’ Square at the city’s waterfront.  

A returning favourite, The Blue Trees is an art project by Australia’s Konstantin Dimopoulos that brings environmental consciousness and social action together in a uniquely beautiful and captivating installation.

Installed in spring before the leaves blossom, an iconic tree or series of trees are painted with a vibrant blue pigment, transforming the tree into sculpture. What was once taken for granted and unseen suddenly comes to the forefront of our attention and is the impetus for dialogue about global deforestation and its impact on world ecology, and how we individually and collectively shape the natural world around us.

The Biennale International Pavilion, scheduled to open in May, is being transformed by rotating groups of artists from Brazil, who will add new layers of art installations throughout the summer to highlight Brazil’s dynamic culture beyond our stereotypes. Additional exhibitions will follow.

Van Bikennale 09-21
[Yue Minjun’s iconic A-maze-ing Laughter, English Bay]

Public art installations and a series of public talks will compliment the International Pavilion, encouraging residents and visitors alike to explore great contemporary art throughout the city. 

“The City of North Vancouver welcomes the Vancouver Biennale to our waterfront this summer to build on our vision of a vibrant waterfront destination,” said Mayor Darrell Mussatto. “Residents and visitors alike will enjoy meeting the Biennale artists in residence at The Shipyards, and we look forward to showcasing world class sculpture in the City’s public spaces over the next two years.”

“The Pipe Shop Building is an incredible opportunity for the Biennale to create a cultural hub at the City’s waterfront, reimagining this historic space into a destination infused with art,” added Barrie Mowatt, President and Founder of the Vancouver Biennale. “We are creating a destination of international merit for tourists and the community to gather, imagine and dialogue as global citizens.” 

Follow the Vancouver Biennale on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and Instagram for updates; for more information, visit the Biennale website.

About the Vancouver Biennale

The Vancouver Biennale is a non-profit charitable organization that celebrates art in public space. Each exhibition transforms the urban landscape into an Open Air Museum, creating globally inspired cultural experiences where people live, work, play and transit. The Biennale features internationally renowned and emerging contemporary artists that represent a diversity of cultural perspectives and artistic disciplines including sculpture, new media, performance works and film.

No Comments

No comments yet.

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.