City of Vancouver unveils 17-metre-high art installation
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The City of Vancouver has unveiled a new 17-metre-high art installation in Hastings Park’s Empire Field, which its creators say is built to reflect the park’s historic structures.
Designed by Seattle-based artists Annie Han and Daniel Mihalyo, the installation called Home+Away draws inspiration from the old Empire Stadium stands, a 1950s ski run, and Playland’s famous wooden roller coaster.
“It’s wonderful to see this piece realized within the context of such a well-used public space,” Han said in a news release.
According to the city, the installation is interactive. It features 16 rows of seating designed to resemble stadium bleachers, accommodating up to 49 people. Visitors can climb to the top and enjoy views of Hastings Park and the East Vancouver neighbourhood.
The new piece is part of Vancouver’s Public Art program, which features over 300 works of art throughout the city.
CBC’s Ethan Cairns attended the unveiling ceremony and captured images of the towering structure and visitors ascending its stairs.
A person walks up the public art installation Home + Away by artists Annie Han and Daniel Mihalyo during the unveiling at Empire Field. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
Artists Daniel Mihalyo and Annie Han speak during the unveiling ceremony. Mihalyo said the design is inspired by the site’s history of spectatorship. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
The installation’s plaque states that its design draws inspiration from various historic structures within the park, such as the stands of the old Empire Stadium, a massive scaffolded ski run from the 1950s and Playland’s wooden roller coaster. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
Designed to be both interactive and functional, the city says the installation invites visitors to climb and use its 16 rows of seating, which can accommodate up to 49 people. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
Annie Han, pictured above, attended the unveiling ceremony. Han and Mihalyo first unveiled a concept for the structure in 2015. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
Vancouver City Councillor Lisa Dominato walks down the new public art installation. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
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