Downtown Vancouver alley to be transformed by art

Field will be a light and sound piece using a field of sensors that detect the presence of a person, changing colours and emitting sounds in reaction to movement.

A Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a public art installation in a downtown laneway has come up big, nearly doubling its goal and securing $64,736 from 428 backers. The campaign was launched by a group called More Awesome Now, which includes the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA) and HCMA Architecture + Design. The funds raised will go toward the transformation of Ackery’s Alley (located off Granville Street in the alley behind the Orpheum Theatre) into a space for public art and performance, featuring Field, an interactive installation by Vancouver-based artist Alex Beim, as the main attraction.

“Through their pledges, Vancouverites have sent a message that they value public art and spaces that foster social connection and interaction—and they want to see more of it,” said Charles Gauthier, president and CEO of the DVBIA. “We’re absolutely blown away by the incredible response we got from this campaign, and we’re particularly impressed with the significant financial support this project received from many corporate backers as well.”

Field will be a light and sound piece using a field of sensors that detect the presence of a person, changing colours and emitting sounds in reaction to movement, creating a unique composition every time someone moves through it. The intent of Ackery’s Alley is to create a space where public performances and other art installations can happen. Its creators expect completion by the end of the summer.

For this project, More Awesome Now is working in partnership with Vancouver Civic Theatres and the City of Vancouver’s Viva Vancouver program. This is the second of three alleys (the first, known as Alley-Oop, is south of West Hastings Street between Granville and Seymour) to be completed by the group.