New program brings visual art to Metro Vancouver shopping mall screens

by Stephen Thomson on January 16th, 2013 at 2:05 PM

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Thanks to a new public-art project, shoppers can now get a dose of culture as they wander through some malls in Metro Vancouver.

Pattison Onestop, a Toronto digital advertising company, recently launched its Art in Transit program in 42 shopping centres across Canada.

The project involves running looped programming on the company’s digital mall screens about the work of visual artists.

Sharon Switzer, arts programmer and curator with Pattison Onestop, is curating the program.

“Art in Transit highlights the important role played by public art exhibitions in energizing the social and cultural fabric of our communities,” Switzer said in a release.

The first round of programming showcases the work of Canadian fibre artists Andrea Vander Kooij and Keiley Stewart. Titled Hard Twist: Greatest Hits, it runs until January 27.

The next round, titled Daily Random Word Doodles, features the art of Australian illustrator Charles Santoso and runs from February 1 to March 1.

The programming, which screens every five minutes, is running in Metro Vancouver at Metropolis at Metrotown, Oakridge Centre, Richmond Centre, and Coquitlam Shopping Centre.