Art Gallery of Alberta a Community Inspiration

I had taken a short vacation in Edmonton -- yes, Edmonton! I wanted to go and see the Andy Warhol exhibition at the Art Gallery of Alberta. I was so impressed with my visit that I wrote up a letter to the editor to the Edmonton Journal newspaer about it. I had written letters to the editor before to the Vancouver Sun, but didn't have much success at being published in the newspaper.

To my surprise, the letter has just been published and is now visible in the letters section of the Edmonton Journal website. I had found out about it through an email correspondent. Should you wish to see the letter with accompanying stock photo, click on the link to see the letter: http://tiny.cc/jiind

If there's one thing Vancouver should take away from this community example, it's to have more consideration for the city's arts and culture sector.  The creative class often enhances the quality of life in a city.

But for your convenience, here is the letter in its entirety:

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the new Art Gallery of Alberta during a short vacation to Edmonton, and the results are most impressive. The art gallery is a clear affirmation of the importance of the visual arts in the Edmonton community.

The city has much to be proud of in their new art gallery facilities. The gallery spaces are comfortable and spacious, and there was an interesting, engaging mix of exhibitions at the time of my visit: Canada's Lawren Harris, conceptual art in Canada and even Andy Warhol.

I thought the small café on the third level was a thoughtful touch for visitors looking for rest and refreshment, as is the rooftop sculpture garden.

Zinc, the restaurant, is a beautiful place for lunch serving meals with locally sourced ingredients and friendly service. While some citizens may balk at the unusual architectural style of the building, I find it compelling that the distinctive design is able to reference the Edmonton community. Consequently, the Art Gallery of Alberta's architectural design is without equal in Western Canada.

As for the issue of whether it is a prudent use of tax dollars, there's something prudent about investing money in a city's cultural infrastructure. A new art gallery ensures that the institution's collection will be cared for in appropriate surroundings and viewed in a building that will anticipate future audiences and demands.

In contrast, my community of Vancouver is moving slowly on the idea of supporting the Vancouver Art Gallery's proposal to move to a new purpose-built facility elsewhere in downtown Vancouver.

While I'm confident in the process, some citizens seem indifferent to the art gallery's plight. Moreover, a recent study in British Columbia determined that for every dollar spent on arts and culture, the economy gets back $1.36 within a year. It would be interesting to find out if the province of Alberta experiences the same positive phenomenon.

There is no doubt that the City of Edmonton and its citizens are making arts and culture a priority in their community as seen in the new AGA and also in the emerging discussions surrounding the design of the Royal Alberta Museum.

Edmonton's example to carve out such a robust arts and cultural scene should be an example to other western Canadian communities.

Submission for "Around the Gallery in 80 Artworks"

In celebration of the Vancouver Art Gallery's 80th Birthday this year, the gallery is soliciting for gallery highlights from a diverse array of individuals: members, artists, staff. This time I had the privilege of selecting a highlight from the Vancouver Art Gallery's art collection. I chose Fred Herzog's "Hastings at Columbia" and below, this is the original text I've submitted to the Vancouver Art Gallery for publication.

I highly recommend a visit to the Vancouver Art Gallery for a dose of visual arts. There's often a nice combination of art from the international art world as well as a spotlight to our own artists from right here in British Columbia and Canada.


On the cusp of the Vancouver Art Gallery's 80th birthday, I've selected Fred Herzog's "Hastings at Columbia" as one of the highlights of the gallery's collection. There are many reasons this work deserves highlighting. First the composition of the photo is admirable: the colourful and chaotic layers of neon signs, the sidewalks of Hastings Street teeming with pedestrians, the hint of blue sky peeking through the urban jumble. Even the small details are wonderful: the sartorial flair of the pedestrian wearing a red cardigan, the large type headline of the newspaper for sale in the foreground, the weathered store awnings. Herzog captured the vivid and busy urban scene that existed on Vancouver's Hastings Street in 1958.

In addition, Herzog's "Hastings at Columbia" is a lovely touchstone to the city's past. The photo reminds me of the old neon signs that used to exist in my neighbourhood of Renfrew Collingwood. Dragon Inn, Wally's Burgers and the Apostolic Church of Christ on Kingsway were our neighbourhood neon landmarks; now only the 2400 Motel sign still stands. The memory lives again as a result of seeing the photo. Remarkably, the same phenomenon occurred at the 2007 Fred Herzog show at the Vancouver Art Gallery. I would overhear fleeting memories of Vancouver among some of the patrons who saw something familiar in his photos. In those small, intimate moments, I was able to witness the potential and power of art that speaks of our community and connects to our community.

While New York City had Walker Evans to document everyday life in the city, Vancouver thankfully has Fred Herzog, and our collective ability to recall Vancouver's history is a little richer because of it. If it is ever on display again, go and look at this photo to gain an appreciation of our city's past. Perhaps some of us may even see inspiration for where our city needs to go next.

Collingwood Library: A Place That Matters

Submitted for the September 2011 issue of the Renfrew Collingwood Community newspaper. I don't know if this made deadline, but this is good news that deserves to be shared!

Collingwood Library: A Place That Matters

A local landmark in Renfrew Collingwood was chosen as one of Vancouver’s “125 Places That Matter,” a project sponsored by the Vancouver Heritage Foundation. The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the city of Vancouver’s heritage buildings and structures. Renfrew Collingwood’s own Collingwood branch library will be recognized with a plaque that will be installed on or in the library sometime in the fall of 2011.

Designed by local Vancouver architects Harold Semmens and Douglas Simpson, Collingwood branch library opened in July 1951. The building’s contemporary design inspired regional library design from Kelowna to New Westminster. The library’s design pedigree has enjoyed some recent notoriety. The library was included in a “Top Ten Endangered Heritage Sites” list for 2011 compiled by Heritage Vancouver (a different organization), and highlighted by a bus tour and recent panel discussion in June. Moreover, the work of Douglas Simpson is finally gaining wider recognition with a monograph of the architect’s work in the planning stage.

Other local landmarks from Renfrew Collingwood nominated for recognition included Guy Carleton Elementary School, the 2400 Motel, Avalon Dairy (located at 43^rd Avenue and Wales Street) and Collingwood Neighbourhood House. (At press time, no decision had been made regarding the inclusion of any other landmarks from Renfrew Collingwood .)

According to its website, the foundation “asked Vancouverites to get involved in choosing 125 sites where plaques will be mounted commemorating people, places and events that helped to shape our city.” These nominations were then put to a public online vote and the 125 choices finalized by an eleven person selection committee.

According to Mr. Sean Ayers, Development Officer at the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, they are looking for sponsors for the plaque that will be installed at Collingwood branch library. The cost to sponsor a site is $750.00. According to a recent email correspondence, “the sponsorship will pay for original research of the site, the production and installation of the plaque, and the creation of a website that will elaborate on the site’s history.” A charitable tax receipt will be issued to individuals sponsoring a plaque.

For more information regarding Vancouver’s “125 Places That Matter” please check www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org.

Stained Glass Windows at St. Mary's Parish, East Vancouver

Local glass artist Lutz Haufschild is not a household name in Vancouver, and it’s a shame. Many of his works decorate buildings both here in the Lower Mainland and in places around the world such as Taiwan, USA and Germany. His most prominent local work, “The Great Wave” at the Vancouver International Airport is an immense glass portrayal of the ocean and complements Bill Reid’s iconic “Jade Canoe” sculpture. What is little known is that an equally stunning work by this internationally renowned artist resides quietly in Renfrew Collingwood.

Located at the northwest corner of Kingsway and Joyce Streets, St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church features four stunning stained glass windows at the top of the church structure. The name of this set of four windows is “The Four Seasons.” What sets them apart from conventional stained glass church windows are the fluid abstract shapes and vivid colours. Each window is symbolic of a season due to its placement and its use of specific colours. As a long time parishioner of St. Mary’s, I never grew tired of looking at these beautiful windows.

Easily reachable by his website, www.glassfocus.com, Mr. Haufschild kindly answered some questions regarding “The Four Seasons.”

Q: How did you land the commission to design the windows for St. Mary’s church?

I was recommended to the committee by the architect. Also, the budget was so low that it required somebody with my knowledge and resources to complete the large area competently.

Q: Where did you get the inspiration for the window designs?

The committee proposed the theme of "The Four Seasons" to celebrate God's creation. I happily experimented with colors and their volume according to their prominence during the particular season.

Q: Who or what influences your artistic work?

All good contemporary artists and architects and their exceptional projects influence my work, as does nature. My studio, f.e. is in the coastal mountains of BC at the shore of Lillooet Lake near Whistler.

Q: What has been the reaction from the audience regarding the St. Mary’s church windows?

As far as I know very good. The work was conceived so that there are significant changes in the appearance of the windows and their reflections in the interior, depending on the time of day and the seasons, to more appreciate our beautiful planet.

In closing, Mr. Haufschild offered some very helpful advice in viewing the windows: “By the way, stained glass from the outside is never very appealing (unless there is light inside the church). Stained glass, like mankind, needs light to live.”

If you want to view the windows yourself, since St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church is private property and a place of worship, please check their website www.stmarysvancouver.ca for more information on times when the church is open for worship and visiting. For more information on artist Lutz Haufschild and his glass work (as well as information on his local and international projects), check his website at www.glassfocus.com.

Talk: Preserving Modernist Buildings in Vancouver – How well are we doing?

Here is the speech in its entirety that I delivered at a lecture at the Museum of Vancouver on Thursday, June 14, 2011. Sponsored by Heritage Vancouver, the subject of the talk was preserving the built Modernist architectural heritage in Vancouver. I was there to talk about the case of preserving and refurbishing the Vancouver Public Library's Collingwood branch library, designed by Vancouver based architects Harold Semmens and Douglas Simpson.

As a long time resident of East Vancouver, sometimes it’s difficult to find beauty where I live. Unlike the downtown core, East Vancouver’s Renfrew Collingwood neighbourhood tends to exist in anonymity. Some residents see Renfrew Collingwood as a transition point, a place that exists on the literal journey from point A to point B. Some residents see it also as a place where one resides before moving up economically and socially in the Lower Mainland. However, the beauty exists. It’s there waiting quietly, waiting to be discovered and appreciated by its local residents.

That is the case of Vancouver Public Library’s Collingwood branch library on Kingsway. You might have overlooked this building; a small, low-slung structure sitting at the northwest corner of Kingsway and Rupert. On any given day, the library is a hub of activity: seniors reading newspapers share the tables with children reading picture books; young adults check their email at the computers. The lone librarian on duty sits at a corner desk. It is the Clark Kent of Vancouver’s library branches, faithfully serving the intellectual needs of the local residents for almost sixty years with little appreciation. However, unlike Clark Kent’s ability to disguise his identity with black rimmed glasses and a business suit, the library building’s design has a distinctive elegance that’s difficult to hide. Just who designed this building and what is it doing here in East Vancouver?

A little bit of detective work yields a colourful history for Collingwood branch library. Designed by the local architectural partnership of Harold Semmens and Douglas Simpson, the branch opened in July 1951. Against a sparsely urbanized backdrop, the pair unveiled a library so confident of its time. Stripped of all needless ornamentation, the library’s design emphasized rectangular lines, natural stone, glass, and a modest scale that suited the humility of the area. With such a friendly face to the neighbourhood, Collingwood branch library soon became the most visited Modernist building in Vancouver, and also racked up the highest circulation rates for children’s material among all the branch libraries in Vancouver. The design of Collingwood branch library made it possible that a library could be an attractive and welcoming place for all citizens.

Nowadays, the status of this little library branch is a little less certain, and a lot less appreciated. Ironically, it almost closed in the 1990s. The heritage status of the library is overshadowed by equally urgent concerns such as the proposed closure of Guy Carleton Elementary School. Even proper maintenance cannot be ensured. Damage to the library’s brickwork has not been fixed since a vehicle crashed into it in 2007. The original signage is gone, and the library’s deep rust colour has been painted over. So the very idea of protecting and refurbishing Collingwood branch library is a low priority.

What is to happen to this library? It’s difficult to say. Certainly its physical and mental distance from the city’s power brokers is a mixed blessing. It has been ignored and overlooked for so long that in many ways, it survives relatively intact compared to other Modernist buildings from the same era. A few improvements could render it into a civic highlight and a point of pride for the area. But it only takes the collective amnesia of the community and of those in power to doom it to a grim fate. Deterioration through neglect is already occurring, and it’s important for those in the community to act to preserve it.

Preserving and refurbishing Collingwood branch library would certainly add something wonderful to the history of our city. Sometimes Vancouver feels like a place where people reside between cross-border shopping excursions and trips to Asia or Europe. Don’t get me wrong; having a city and its citizens look outward has resulted in a city that is embracing of multiculturalism and diversity. However, at times it feels like some city residents are ignorant or indifferent of the city’s history. This ambivalence does not do much to encourage a love and appreciation of where we live. I’m sure there are some residents who might be surprised to discover a library branch of Modernist design on the east side of Vancouver. To preserve and refurbish it would remind citizens of the importance of the library in our community as well as the importance of our local history.

So if you haven’t done so already, go and visit this tiny library on the edge of Vancouver. Check out the Modernist lines and scale of this building before going in. Take some pictures of this building from different angles; find the beauty. Bring your library card, peruse its collection and borrow some library materials. Most importantly, turn community concern into action. Send a letter or email to Vancouver City Hall and to the Vancouver Public Library’s Board to ask them, at the very least, to properly maintain the building.

For those with a greater passion for the heritage of Vancouver, persuade those in power to move the library onto the city’s heritage register as a modern landmark. Perhaps with some creative fundraising and help from the community, the library’s Modernist roots could be enhanced with the signage and furnishings of the mid-century era. For an area and for a building that has existed in anonymity for so long, a little recognition would go a long way to raising Vancouver’s Modernist legacy.

Delivering a Speech on Heritage Issues after the 2011 Stanley Cup Riots: The Introduction

On Thursday, June 16th, I took part in a panel discussion by the fine folks at Heritage Vancouver, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the built heritage of Vancouver. The talk was decidedly more contemporary as it was titled, "Preserving Modernist Buildings in Vancouver -- How Well are We Doing?". I was part of a panel where I attempted to defend the aesthetic and historical value of Vancouver Public Library's Collingwood branch library from a local resident's point of view. The timing of the event couldn't be more curious as the Stanley Cup riots in downtown Vancouver had occurred the evening before on Wednesday, June 15th, resulting in extensive damage. I remember there was much talk among people at work and even on the streets regarding the riots that certainly brought to mind those that occurred in 1994. So, in light of the previous night's events, I had to recognize what had just happened the night before, and attempted to link it to Heritage Vancouver's event. The following is the introduction that I had provided to the audience at the Vancouver Museum that evening:

Before I begin, I would like to address a number of immediate concerns. First, I would like to thank Heritage Vancouver, Mr. Gregg Simpson, and Mr. George Challies for the encouragement to speak to all of you tonight. I am grateful for this opportunity to share my personal perspective of Modernist architecture in Vancouver, and hope this issue is embraced by the greater community and is translated into positive action. Second, I need to acknowledge an oversight on the Heritage Vancouver website that advertised my inclusion in this event. The website had me advertised as John Mendoza, “Modernist architecture writer”, but the reality is a lot less glamourous. I stand before you not as a writer, but primarily as an educator. I am a local citizen with interests in education and writing. Consequently, there is no mendacity in who I am and what I am about to present to you this evening.

I must confess I was resistant in presenting my talk tonight. However, I am now galvanized to speak in light of what has happened last night in downtown Vancouver. For those who missed it, our loss in game seven of the Stanley Cup finals resulted in some fans taking out their frustration and aggression on our downtown core. Vandalism, looting, and general unrest were unfolding on streets not more than a five or ten minute bus ride from Kits Point. How ironic that we are gathered here tonight to talk about heritage preservation issues when there were so many individuals in downtown Vancouver last night, ready to wreak havoc.

The dark events of last night help prove why tonight’s event is so important. Heritage Vancouver’s work is so vital; their work constantly reminds me of the value of our surroundings. Their advocacy work helps us to see the beauty in our young city’s heritage landmarks, neighbourhoods, streetscapes, and most importantly, the compelling stories embedded in these places. Knowing Vancouver’s history has value. It cultivates a respect, concern and appreciation for where we live. If one person had paused to consider what they were doing to our community, perhaps there would be less handwringing over last night’s events.

This city is our home. We saw the reckless actions of vandals damage the downtown core last night. But it’s also important to recognize that there exists a majority of everyday citizens who have the potential to contribute to their communities in a positive way. Whether it’s picking up litter off the streets to advocating for heritage preservation, our citizens can play a role in nurturing our urban home that is Vancouver. That is why I am honoured to be here tonight, to speak up for the positives that surround us here in Vancouver, and to hopefully advocate for their protection.

John Francis Bursill: Forgotten Cultural Pioneer

This article originally appears in the June 2011 edition of the Renfrew Collingwood Community Newspaper. Check the link here:

http://www.cnh.bc.ca/rccnews/rccnews_jun_2011web.pdf

and if you are looking for the article in this issue, it's located on page five. However, the article has been edited for brevity. If you'd like to read the original article, here it is!

John Francis Bursill: Forgotten Cultural Pioneer

There’s no doubt that Vancouver’s cultural scene is evolving. Our city is talking of a new art gallery and concert hall downtown, and our own Collingwood branch library turns sixty years old in a heritage worthy, Modernist design. However, it’s important to look back and recognize how past individuals connected to Renfrew-Collingwood have shaped the city. John Francis Bursill is one of Renfrew-Collingwood’s earliest cultural pioneers, introducing to the young city of Vancouver some lofty cultural and intellectual pursuits.

John Francis Bursill immigrated with his wife to Vancouver in 1905 at the age of 60 to be closer to his eldest son, F. Noel Bursill. Despite his age, he had accomplished much in his life in London, England, as a journalist and a man devoted to many scholarly and community pursuits.

As a supporter of the free library movement where the average citizen had free access to books and other informational material, Bursill started the Collingwood Institute and Free Library in 1911. He built a large hall on Ruby Street just south of Wellington Street in East Vancouver, and stocked the library using a sizable collection of his own books. Considered a precursor to Vancouver Public Library’s Collingwood branch (which opened in 1951), the Collingwood Institute and Free Library existed until 1954. For the working class residents of Renfrew Collingwood, he operated the neighborhood’s first library.

Bursill made his influence felt even outside of Renfrew Collingwood. He continued his career in journalism here in Vancouver, writing articles in local newspapers under the pen name of “Felix Penne.” He also founded the Vagabonds, an association dedicated to the enjoyment of the English literary classics in 1915. The existence of this cultural society and the creation of others even helped shaped the cultural landscape of Vancouver. Stanley Park’s Shakespearean Garden certainly was inspired by Vancouver’s Shakespeare Society of which Bursill was both a founder and associate.

Although very little of his writing exists, a little research yielded the discovery of a one of his poems. Bursill’s “I Shall Not Cease” was inspired by the death of a well known physician, Dr. Fernand de Verteuil, whose passing had been received at the offices of the “Vancouver World” newspaper. Dr. Verteuil was a surgeon for the H.M.S. Good Hope, which sunk during the Battle of Coronel in November 1914. Inspired by a line blurted out by an associate in response to the news, Bursill supposedly sat down immediately, and scribbled four stanzas of a poem. Later, Vancouver city archivist, Major J. S. Matthews added the title, “I Shall Not Cease” in 1935. Since very little of Bursill’s writing is known today, and very little poetry is published in newspapers to begin with, here is John Francis Bursill’s poem printed in its entirety:

“I Shall Not Cease” – poem by John Francis Bursill

‘Tis infamy to die and not be missed,

(I thank thee, unknown poet, for that line.)

Let me imagine lips that I have kissed,

Will still, in memory, press these lips of mine.

When I shall journey to the Unknown Land,

Shall I some memories leave Death cannot kill?

Will men, with manly grip, still take my hand?

Will children listen for the voice that’s still?

Death hath no sting for me, if when I sleep,

Children – and dogs – remember where I lie;

If – missing me – some gentle women weep,

And men, recalling me, shall heave a sigh.

If work I speak, or write, helps fellow man

To nobler, braver life, to aspirations high;

I shall not – cease – when I have filled life’s span.

To be remembered thus is – not to die.

The poem is simple, essentially capturing the importance of being remembered through one’s good work. In many ways, Bursill’s work first in London, England and then in Vancouver articulates this very belief, using his position to better his communities. Memorable poetry will have something important to say; here the message is still as relevant to a contemporary audience as it was almost one hundred years ago.

Nowadays, while very few Vancouverites recognize John Francis Bursill, he has definitely left his imprint on Vancouver. The neighbourhood’s library service was started by Bursill’s own Collingwood Institute and Free Library, and the Shakespeare Garden in Stanley Park still exists but awaits refurbishment. Renfrew Collingwood remembers his life’s work with a street named after him, aptly located just one block west of Collingwood branch library. In an area that does not see much of its history remembered, the accomplishments of one man certainly are felt here.