Gastown reenacted

“Abbott & Cordova, 7 August 1971”, (2008) by Stan Douglas

Front and centre when you walk through the large doors of the inner atrium doors of the Woodward’s building you are confronted with a controversial piece of art, for which the developers should be commended.

The light box photograph taken by renowned Canadian artist Stan Douglas entitled “Abbott & Cordova, 7 August 1971”, (2008). The photograph is a cleverly designed reenactment of the Gastown Riots, also known as “the Battle of Maple Tree Square”, which occurred when city police violently broke up a peaceful, pot-smoking demonstration on Water Street.

The photograph depicts the police violently busting up a demonstration—beating protesters, charging crowds on horseback, arresting dozens of people, while others take in the scene from the sidewalk; many smaller vignettes illustrating the larger story.

This riot led city officials to rezone Gastown, which was then being overtaken by Kitsilano hippies residing in industrial spaces, to then be zoned as strictly commercial.  How very ironic as the Woodward’s building is now predominantly high-end residential condos, perhaps being sold to the very community that was once driven away.

 While many crisp new apartment lobbies are filled with paintings, prints or sculptures of safe and recognizable artwork and not something that could perhaps offend, it is a reminder to all to recognize the art that has been purposely place for our enjoyment.