Eric Deis, Last Chance
April through September 2010
THE WALL, CBC Plaza
700 block of Hamilton Street
Vancouver
Opening reception April 15, 6 – 8 pm
THE WALL is an exciting new artists’ platform made possible through a unique partnership between the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, JJ Bean, and the CBC. THE WALL will feature a changing program of artworks that respond to and reflect upon Vancouver’s built environment. Other Sights for Artists' Projects is pleased to be involved in this collaborative initiative as the curator of the inaugurative project, Last Chance.
In Eric Deis’ architecturally-scaled photograph, the image of a small house is framed by a large cedar tree on one side and condominium sales office on the other. In the background, the presence of a residential tower suggests a similar fate for the little house at 1062 Richards Street. The photograph was taken just months before the owner ended her resolute stand off and sold her home of 45 years to make way for advancing development.
Echoing the current rapid migration of construction sites from one street to the next throughout Vancouver’s downtown core, Deis has transplanted Last Chance to the 700 block of Hamilton Street. Using a printing medium commonly associated with full colour advertising and real estate marketing, Last Chance asserts a distinctly quiet, black and white presence. Its scale suggests a distant view yet focuses upon a recent past. Compressing into one image the last house, the last tree, and the last chance for preconstruction pricing, Deis’ photograph captures a somber and familiar moment of transition in Vancouver’s built environment.
Eric Deis is a Vancouver-based artist who has exhibited in North America and Europe. His minutely detailed large-format photographs expose extraordinary moments hidden within regular circumstances.
Last Chance was curated by Barbara Cole
Eric Deis, Last Chance, Artwork, Detail, 2010
Other Sights gratefully acknowledges the support of the City of Vancouver. The artist gratefully acknowledges the support of The Canada Council for the Arts.
Eric Deis, Last Chance, Installation Documentation, 2010
Upcoming
When the Hosts Come Home
In April, after the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic athletes have gathered their medals and returned to their respective countries, Vancouver’s Olympic Village will be transformed from dormitory to “home” as thousands of condominium owners begin the process of colonizing the new neighbourhood of Southeast False Creek. This period of transition will prompt retrospection, causing hosts, be they elated or fed-up, to reflect on how their understanding and experience of place was altered by the impact of the mass spectacle of the Winter Olympics.
Southeast False Creek was planned as a “model sustainable development” – one that promotes green building practices, environmental responsibility, and alternative transportation choices. Consistent with this imperative, When the Hosts Come Home invites three artist teams whose practices incorporate the use of recycled and refurbished materials, to create temporary, site specific sculptural works that address the meaning of “legacy” in relation to False Creek. Whether creating temporary ‘habitat’, structures that reference hierarchies, or pavilions for wishful uses, all three teams respond to social moments and promote public agency. Their work uses informal methods to make visible the transformation of begged, borrowed, donated, salvaged, and found materials into publicly used objects and spaces.
Events
T & T: False Creek
T & T (Tony Romano and Tyler Brett)
Curated by Patrik Andersson
Pendulum Gallery, HSBC Building Atrium
885 West Georgia St., Vancouver
February 5 – March 3, 2010
Opening Reception: Friday February 5, 6-8 pm
Köbberling & Kaltwasser
Curated by Barbara Cole
Southeast False Creek outdoor site (TBA)
Summer 2010
The Bomfords
Curated by Barbara Cole
Southeast False Creek outdoor site (TBA)
Summer 2011