Is the Frame the Painting?
An "unsanctioned" wheat-paste at Dunsmuir & Burrard creates a temporal gallery, in real time.
On a nondescript power box, on Dunsmuir, near Burrard is a wheat-paste of a photo… of a photo, of a photo. The original image is a tarp structure from one of the cities previous encampments of unhoused people. The following images, display the power box with people walking past on different days and seasons. The effect creates a visual time machine and perhaps a commentary on the visibility of certain issues.
The artist, “Cameraman,” spoke to me about the piece and how they made it. Keep an eye out on this space to see how it evolves over time.
What would you like to say about the piece?
It's just street art. Public property now. It means what you want it to.
What was the process to make it?
It's alot of steps. Photo, Photoshop, copy shop, chop up, paste up, capture, reimpose compose, print shop again etc. Three times over.
What struck you about the particular spot on Dunsmuir just off Burrard?
The big blank canvas in Vancouver's business district. I like presenting art to people who don't know what they're looking at. Photo-cubist re-photography is totally invisible to some.
Are power boxes an under-utilized space for creating art?
No. The city will remove art on power boxes if they don't approve, so there is a strict curatorial process.
Should there be more attempts to allow street art in the city, or would you prefer that it continue to come about organically?
No. Make street art dangerous again.
I always ask people this, because I want to help them manifest it. What would you create if you an unlimited budget and no constraints?
Good question. With an unlimited budget and resources for a public art project, I'd have a sandwich provided to every Canadian who votes in an election. Their favourite sandwich.