PROGRESS... (Footings, to Foundation, to Framing..)

Progress is fun and it feels great to share the changes of this project.  If you ever want to learn about yourself, build something!  My new motto.

When these time lapse images from my ever so generous neighbour come my way ("Ta Ewan!!"), viewing them becomes a learning experience.  Looking at something again and again can draw your attention to things easily missed in the moment or when looking in one place.  One of the things that is enjoyable is re-viewing what is same, same and discover it's different.

This first view is the beginning of footings for the Octopus.  Go Octopus go!!

... and things keep growing.

getting ready to take flight for height!

As the Octopus evolves from footings to foundation to framing the comings and goings are recorded and observed.  What one observes it what makes reality unfold.  Where is your focus?    -- the people, the structure, the colour, the form, the cement, the wood, the lights, the clouds...

ART -- taking off from last art post...

...haha a little throw back to the "Take flight" post a few weeks ago before the Eastside Culture Crawl Society (ECCS), CRAWL event.  I know, I know, there have been a few photos that have snuck in over the weeks but, just can't help myself since this hood is so rich with "artness". Would it be  fair to say,  Caneman, would be quite offended by the non-word/word of "artness"? (last weeks post)    Bob Dylan wrote "the times they are a changing" and that certainly is the case with  language, just in case you haven't noticed.  Having a good grip on grammatically correct intent of language is critical in being able to see how it changes.  Those changes that occur really reflect on what is going on in society as well as where we're going;  language being energy that is  expressed through symbols and how we communicate.  When we pay attention we see where we are and the direction in which we are travelling.

This post started with a reference to the CRAWL event (plus, plus, ... all the ECCS programming),  so to that vein of art originating from this hood it's hard not to look at two significant artists who live here:  Richard Tetrault and Carole Itter.  Both these artists have lived in the hood for over 35 years and contributed to the spirit of community in his or her own way. 

Tetrault is one of the founding members of the Eastside Culture Crawl Society, shown his work locally, across the country and internationally, a master print maker, a painter, a muralist and this is just the short list of his talents.  Recently, I had the good fortune to attend the opening ceremony of a housing project in Richmond where Tetrault was selected, through the public  process, to be the artist for the public art component.   Check it out!  

Richard Tetrault with his public art relief on the new 129 unit Housing Project in Richmond. (photo credit Esther Rausenberg)

I can't help but think it would be pretty amazing to have a Tetrault integrated into the 851 Project!  Wouldn't that be cool?  Now, how do I get  all the $$$$ going to the city on this project to get channelled into that?  Ah, the questions that float around my mind -- hehehe.  I'm happy to know, at least, he's my neighbour!!

Back to the ECCS for a moment and the great programming by Esther Rausenberg, the Executive Director, which leads me to Carole Itter.  The closing program has become a film night featuring an artist and his/her film work.  Carole Itter was selected this year, as mentioned in the previous ART post, and there will be time for others to see the films as the program has been postponed due to the passing of Al Neil, Carole's longtime partner in life. 

Itter, like Tetrault, have lived in the hood for many, many years and been a part of this community.  I recall a few years ago going to to McLean Park (a park just kitty corner to my place now) to watch Itter's  film "Inlet"  and how special it felt to see this work in such a relaxed community environment -- there were a ton of well known artists, neighbours and people who happened by to share that  moment in time,  celebrating Itter's work.  Itter was awarded the 2017 Audain Prize in visual arts by the Vancouver Art Gallery and here are a few images of her acceptance!  (I love her "artness")

Tetrault and Itter are 2 amazing artists in this hood, and like language, it's so important to know the basics to appreciate the evolution.  I look forward to writing about more of these artistic gems that manifest as my neighbours in this rich community.  

Always remember to look up and down and all around on those strolls in your neighbourhood you might be surprised to find what direction you're taking.

PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS...

People -- who's CANEMAN, you may ask?  I recently had Gerry Teahan, while at the Union coffee shop/store present me with this year's short story of the Caneman.  What a delight!  I did not realize this is a short story series of which Gerry is the author, comes out on occasion that not only celebrates being an Elder also celebrates charming writing.  Gerry is a musician who lives in our "hood" and I've often talked to about things and life and now I know is a hidden gem who lives near me.  These discoveries are beyond wonderful -- thank you Gerry and now I understand "miscreant" as a noun and an adjective!

The other photo below is of another Jerry.  Jerry Whitehead is another amazing person who has crossed my path over the years.  I first met Jerry while giving some of my time to the Russian Hall wall mural project lead by Richard Tetrault.  Over the years I have grown to become a friend of Jerry's through art projects.  In the photo of Jerry and the print block below, created by him and his son Jerome, it is an honour to know this piece will become a door in the Big House.  I love the generational connection and that there is a true respect for generational understanding in this work.  Feeling blessed to know both Jerry and Jerome.

 union and not union...

Places... during the CRAWL (Nov. 16-19th) I went to a good deal of artist's studios.  Those places range from okay to amazing and it's interesting to know that what you notice one year when visiting the next blow your mind.  Here we have some photos of the Big House and the reality of angles and what takes place to build a home and also the amazing lighting re-discovered at Sasamat Creative at the Mergatroid building.  I love that Sasamat has taken colour to some of their lighting this year  and looking forward to considering this beautiful work for the Big House.

Things...while visiting the Project as often as possible, the goal to be daily, there are always small discoveries in the things found on these visits.  Here I happened to catch a few gems that the guys on site just do.  It's part of their job and most likely just a part of their everyday.  These photos are a tribute to the everyday of those dudes that show up and do their job with honour, respect and integrity to their profession!  

COMMUNITY -- yes it's 3rd week of November again!

And that means the ECCS (Eastside Culture Crawl Society) holds it's annual visual art festival the CRAWL!! It's my pleasure to share some of the best and "hood" gems.

Above: Esther Rausenberg, long time resident of Strathcona and Executive Director of ECCS at work and scores a stool!  note: if you picked up one of those programs take the time post-crawl to have a tea or coffee and dig in digesting it from cover to cover (it reads like a magazine even if it is called a program).  Louise Francis-Smith is also in one of those photos above, with Connie Sabo who made the cover of the Georgia straight, who is a brilliant photographer and long-time resident of Strathcona as well. 

2nd Row: Sharing the art work of Esther Rausenberg, Richard Tetrault (who's studio space/gallery is on Georgia st)  and my other soon to be neighbour Ewan McNiel (these neighbours live across the alley from 851 union!!).  I can feel their creative juices flowing into the project already!!  

3rd Row:  Just down the street from 851 Union there's the Union Market, LOOOOONNNGG time supporter of the ECCS.  Oh and look there's that other soon to be neighbour, Pillow fight, Erica under the tent of Pantages house. 

Of course, we need to have a thank you party for wonderful people who help make ECCS thrive and succeed.  Sure, "no problem I'll host",  I say -- hahaha that was before my 3 days of being a culture vulture, but somehow when it comes to a party I can be rejuvenated. 

Above:  Zach, the astute dog who sees food in my hand and decides he's my best friend.  George Rammell with his piece that will be going into MOA down the road and what I thought to be crows, but are really  Ravens by Dieter Schlatter!

Finally below images included of what will be coming to the Project 851!!  -- the lights I fell in love with and the big print block (this one done by Jerry Whitehead and his son Jerome) that will be made into doors:  I have 2 more -- by artists Susan Point and Connie Sabo!