Photo: Photo by Denis Ha. Courtesy 221A Artist-Run Centre Society, Vancouver
Semi-Public: Vancouver Especially (A Vancouver Special scaled to its property value in 1973, then… - photo by Photo by Denis Ha. Courtesy 221A Artist-Run Centre Society, Vancouver
271 Union Street
Outdoor Site: 221 A Gallery - Union St. & Gore St.
On a small lot between two buildings at 271 Union Street.
The artwork has been removed from this location.
Private development
2015
Sculpture
No longer in place
Privately owned
Semi-Public
Description of work

Semi-Public is a 3,000 square-foot site for temporary artwork curated and managed by artist-run centre 221A, and funded by the City of Vancouver through a 10 year agreement (2015 -2025) with Bosa Properties as part of the public art requirement for major rezonings. 

Artist statement

"Vancouver Especially is a 1:3 scale replica of a mass-produced, Vancouver architectural style of homes known as the "Vancouver Special", popularized from 1965 to 1985 with an estimated 10,000 homes built. The scale of the artwork is determined by the $45,000 production budget, comparable to the value of a Vancouver Special in the 1970's. If one were to buy a Vancouver Special with that budget today, it would be tiny (see the small relief in the platform for the actual scale); thus the artwork was multiplied eightfold. Despite it's diminutive presence, the artwork would be most appropriately considered an enlargement of accepted value." - Courtesty 221A Artist-Run Centre Society, Vancouver

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