YVR – The Rivers Monument – Public Artwork

Custom stand-offs created for this stunning public artwork in Vancouver International Airport

YVR - The Rivers Monument - Public Artwork

This sculpture is by Marianne Nicolson – an artist activist of the Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw First Nations.  The Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw Nations are part of the Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwak’wala speaking peoples) of the Pacific Northwest Coast. More about the artist can be seen on her website here

This project is significant for its meaning as well as its location. It sits at the focal point of the A-B Connector Renovation which was a massive addition to Vancouver International Airport’s Domestic Terminal Building.

Stella was honored to work on this project and started with the glass artist when this work was in the “napkin” sketch phase. Together we designed a solution with custom stand-offs that support the curved glass in a discreet manner while factoring in shadows as the poles are lit from below on the inside.

There were structural challenges on this project as well. These sculptures were tall at 8.5m [28′] and were cylindrical shaped with a 1.4m [4’6″]  base decreasing to 1m [3′] at the top.

Our custom, stainless steel patch fittings clamp four panels together to support the system and secure it in place.
More about the fabrication process can be seen here

“These two innovative glass-etched poles are a monument to the Columbia River and Fraser River, which carried a wealth of ancient names from the Indigenous Nations that fished and managed them.

Each pole is a cut through of the river system, with the top of the column representing the surface and the bottom the riverbed.
Each pole portrays a different history, with pictograph-like images of humans, fish, wildlife and water. Perched atop both poles are carved and painted red cedar eagles acting as witnesses.”

Description per YVR’s art program here