What the heck is that? East Van cross

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      Seen the new sculpture in East Vancouver yet?

      Monument for East Vancouver, by local artist Ken Lum, recently went up at East 6th Avenue and Clark Drive.

      The piece is part of the Olympic and Paralympic Public Art Program.

      As reported by the Straight's Robin Laurence, it's one of a number of new light-art pieces in the city.

      Lum is also the creator of A Tale of Two Children, located at Malkin Avenue and Thornton Street in Strathcona.

      Comments

      83 Comments

      davey g

      Jan 18, 2010 at 4:12pm

      Talent.
      Thanks Mr. Lum.

      Beth

      Jan 18, 2010 at 6:27pm

      I see it every day when I drive home from work and I love love love it. It's so huge and it seems so proud to be proclaiming that you are about to enter East Van. Stay away, all those afraid to enter. Ooh-rah!
      Beth

      Oldtimer

      Jan 18, 2010 at 8:03pm

      If I were a resident of East Van I might question the use of the Cross. The Cross is an obvious Christian symbol, could they not have chosen another design that is not so blatantly religious?. My background is Christian, but I do not like to impose my religious choices onto the community as a whole. I find it Offensive.
      And for those who think that East Van starts at Clark and 6th, you should perhaps consider that everything east of Main St. is technically East Van. Sorry for being so precise.

      Robin

      Jan 18, 2010 at 9:06pm

      What I really love about this work is how emotionally charged it is. There is a lot of history and memory that projects from the work, much of it painful. Bravo to Cultural Affairs for a change.

      Josh

      Jan 18, 2010 at 10:04pm

      Love it. Instead of simply being "offended" by the Christian imagery, let's try to look deeper. Christianity is a part of DTES history, whether in this neon cross or the massive wooden crucifix that hangs at St. James Anglican church, or by the actions of those who have helped (there have been many, and continue to be) or even hurt in the name of Christ in the DTES.

      MrNogatco

      Jan 18, 2010 at 10:51pm

      It's nice to actually see public art in Vancouver, even if it is VANOC sponsored. Let's hope the city doesn't tear it down and put a blue pole or something in its place.

      @ Oldtimer - I don't think the artist intended the cross to viewed in a religious light (no pun intended). Click the 'Monument for East Vancouver' link in the article for more info on the piece.

      And to be even more technical, the eastside is everything east of Ontario Street. ;-)

      Beth

      Jan 19, 2010 at 7:44am

      In many people's minds, the REAL East Van (before Main Street became trendy that is) starts at Clark. As for the cross, I've been seeing that shape of East Van logos for what seems like forever. Given all the Italian and Spanish and other Christian-based folks who populate the area, if it's seen as a Christian cross, who cares? Funny that you didn't see it as a 'T' shape.
      Beth

      aaddyy123123

      Jan 19, 2010 at 8:55am

      I can see why they used a cross, too help all the sins being committed and sinners who live there! OOH RAH

      therzo

      Jan 19, 2010 at 9:36am

      It's sad that some people feel the need to keep the shape/design of a cross as a symbol of christianity. I can see how a christian person may take it this way; however, I choose not to "see" Jesus every time I see a cross.

      It is only a shape and no one should allow any religious group to co-opt a design.

      Also, the beautiful piece of art work is in East Van. Who said it has to symbolize where East Van starts?

      I live two blocks away from it and love it.

      Reis

      Jan 19, 2010 at 11:14am

      Clearly it is not a Christian Cross. Too many people have a knee jerk reaction against religious representation in our culture anyway. (Open your minds people, religion is a human reality). As someone who grew up in East Van I remember the East Van Cross for what it was, a ubiquitous symbol of East Van rebelliousness with a shady gang history. Among the gangs associated with this symbol were the Clark Parkers and the EVS, which were already dissolving by the time I hit my teens. For me the East Van Cross was a tag we would proudly put up in washroom walls, etc as our way of saying, we are here, don't forget about us, and don't mess with us. Vancouver used to have a much bigger divide between East and West, working class and rich, immigrant and white, and the East Van Cross was a reminder to us that we can still hold our head up and be proud of where we came from. And also a reminder to the kids on the westside, that if you come to our school to play a game and you make fun of us, or our cheap cars, or cheap clothes, that we will have no problem with letting our fists talk for us. While I'm glad the more violent associations are gone, I'll always be a proud East Vanner, and I myself have drawn a few of those crosses in different places at different times. Yay to public art that resonates with the community. I am very proud to be from East Van and I love this piece. East Van Rules!