The Project

2008-01-05T11:45:00.000-08:00

A year ago approximately 10,000 trees fell in Stanley Park following a number of extreme winter storms. Shocked by the incredible damage inflicted on Stanley Park, a globally recognized symbol of the Pacific Rainforest, many were inspired to help.

The Spirit of Stanley Park is a community event organized around a public art installation. It is designed to celebrate nature’s resilience and Stanley Park’s capacity to heal in the wake of the wind, fostering a greater appreciation for Vancouver’s urban wilderness, and raise funds to support the Stanley Park Ecology Society.

The last week-end of June 2008, 30 Art Pillars decorated by local artist Philippe Sokazo will be positioned at the entrance of the Park in English Bay, rising like the Spirit of Stanley Park after the storms. An onsite interpretation center will foster exchange with vancouverites as it relates to both the artwork and Stanley Park’s urban ecology.

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Find out about Sponsorship Opportunities available today and contact SPES for details.

The Artistic Creation

2008-01-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

The artwork created by Philippe Sokazo aims to provide a visual portrayal of the essence of Stanley Park, representing the tangible plants and wildlife, as well as the intangible energy, movement, hope and harmony evoked by the natural world.

The Art Pillars specifically represent a select combination of two coastal Pacific tree species and three artistic spirits of the West Coast Rainforest:

Shaamgic is a lone character. He's a powerful wizard, a link between the Cosmos and Rainforest. He also loves to kid, cracking branches in the Forest, blowing between trees and creating shadows to startle passerby’s…

Kroonappy's are tiny Rainforest people, living in couple or family amongst the giant ferns and trees. They take care and protect the Rainforest. They are playful and like to fool around with small animals in the Park, like squirrels and raccoons. They sound like the wind and are very shy around humans. Only young kids are know to have seen them.

Shaghost is probably the oldest ghost of this land. He usually roams between Bowen Island and the Pacific Rim when fog covers most things. He brings happiness and power to the people who meet him. You will recognize him easily by his misty texture and peculiar shape.

The Bigleaf Maple is the largest native maple on the West Coast.

The Western Red Cedar is B.C.’s provincial tree.

Both illustrate the magnificence of nature, overpowering.