All We Want Is More : The Tobias Wong Project

 If you haven't heard of Tobias Wong, the art world's enfant terrible whose life was cut short in 2010, then you must go visit the Museum of Vancouver for All We Want Is More: The Tobias Wong Project. 

This is the second retrospect that the museum has down for this hometown hero - yes Tobias Wong hails from Vancouver, but made his splash into the art world during his time in New York City. Curated by his friends and family, this is a thrilling world class exhibit that honours the sensibility of an artist who had his finger on the pulse of society. 

From his famed Bubble Chair to the iconic Sun Jars, there is something for everyone here. My personal favourites include the Anus sign that appeared in his apartment window across the street from gay bar The Cock in New York, the 9/11 matchbook, and the gold plated McDonalds "coke" spoon.

All We Want is More: The Tobias Wong Project is on now until July 23 at the Museum of Vancouver. 

aBIOTIC

 The New Media Gallery at the Anvil Centre in New West continues to blow my mind with their exhilarating exhibits. This time around, we are treated to aBIOTIC which revolves around the source of life itself, water. 

 In one room, a strong bass pulsates through a pool of inked water, creating ripples and shapes that are lit and projected up onto the wall canvas. 

In another room, we witness a CLOUD MACHINE. Literally, a machine that CREATES CLOUDS. It is hypnotic as we watch these clouds interact with music that either lures it forward through the glass case or pauses it and lets it all but evaporate. Absolutely hypnotic. 

And finally, in the main room, there is a box. Inside this box is dry ice, which pushes the oxygen out of the box. Then this robot machine is triggered and blows a soap bubble into said box. The bubble hangs in mid air. It is a beautiful thing and the guides / docents at this gallery will tell you more and perhaps reveal what the meanings are behind these three pieces of work. 

Go to the New Media gallery now to catch this exhibit on till April 23. 

We Are The Robots exhibit at Vancouver Art Gallery

I renewed my membership at the Vancouver Art Gallery just so I could go over and over again to Kevin Schmidt's We Are The Robots exhibit, which features an audiophile's dream listening room. In this sound-proofed space, visitors are invited to bring in their vinyl records to take a spin on the turntable and be listened to in this custom-made space that includes giant speakers designed for maximum sound detailing, and panelled walls made from reclaimed kitchen countertops to help with the acoustics.

Today I went in and put on some Kylie Minogue and Madonna. I thought I was early enough so that I could avoid having to explain my music taste to strangers, but no such luck. One woman came in with her family and heard the Madonna blasting and said to her husband, "This is my idea of Hell." We ended up chatting and I told her about the exhibit and then asked what vinyl record she would bring in if she could, and she said she would probably bring in The Cure.

This exhibit ends on October 28, so get to the art gallery to see it while you can! And bring your records!!

MOV: Your Future Home

The latest exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver is well, very Vancouver. I'm really liking what the museum is doing in recent history, by bringing to the city exhibits that are relevant to where we live. It's a great way to celebrate and dissect the place we call home. Which is why their latest exhibit, Your Future Home: Creating the New Vancouver is all that more timely, with talks about increasing density and housing prices, etc.

Stop by the Museum of Vancouver to see what artists and developers are envisioning for the future of our city. Engage in conversation at one of the many special events/lectures being hosted there. Your Future Home: Creating the New Vancouver is on now until May 15th.

The Chung Collection

Have you gone out to UBC lately to visit their Rare Books and Special Collections room? This is where you can find the permanent exhibit, The Chung Collection.

"The Wallace B. Chung and Madeline H. Chung Collection contains more than 25,000 rare and unique items (documents, books, maps, posters, paintings, photographs, silver, glass, ceramic ware and other artifacts)."

"In 1999, the Chung family made an exceptional gift to the University of British Columbia Library, with their donation of The Wallace B. Chung and Madeline H. Chung Collection.

In making a generous gift of this unique and extensive research collection, Dr. Chung gives back to Canada something of what he and his family have gained since his grandfather came from China to settle in Victoria more than 100 years ago."

"The Chung Collection is housed in UBC's Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, where selected pieces are on display in the Chung Room. The exhibit is open to the public, at no charge."

For more information, please visit the website. 

Ultimate Dinosaurs at Science World

If you can't get into the latest screening of Jurassic World, then head on down to Science World for an even better experience: the Ultimate Dinosaurs exhibit!

Meet T. Rex’s bigger, badder cousin in an exhibition that highlights the unique dinosaurs of the Southern Hemisphere. Step into the role of a paleontologist and be a part of the story that took millions of years to write.

Not your typical dinosaur exhibition, Ultimate Dinosaurs introduces you to new and unique dinosaurs that evolved in isolation in South America, Africa and Madagascar. The exhibition combines rarely seen specimens with augmented reality technology that transforms full-scale dinosaurs into flesh-covered animated beasts right before your eyes.

Ultimate Dinosaurs is on now until September 7 at Science World! 

Museum of Anthropology

I'm heading back to school in the Fall and will be on campus up at UBC, which means I can't wait to go visit the Museum of Anthropology while I'm up there. They currently have some intriguing exhibits going on, including

Without Masks: Contemporary Afro-Cuban Art:

Claiming Space: Voices of Urban Aboriginal Youth:

and Spotlight Taiwan:

Find out more about the Museum of Anthropology at their website!

Rewilding Vancouver

A few years ago I was walking to the skytrain over by Broadway and Commercial and went through the alleyway behind the McDonald's. I could've sworn I saw a rodent that looked positively radioactive scurrying into the ground. I didn't believe my eyes and was probably too grossed out by the whole thing that I've blocked it out of my mind and chalked it up to my imagination. 

However, if you go see the current exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver, you'll be quick learn that what I saw was in fact a reality. Did you know that Vancouver used to have red rats roaming about? Rewilding Vancouver "explores the city’s nature as it was, is, and could be."

Rewilding Vancouver is currently on at the Museum of Vancouver until September 1st. 

  

Roedde House Museum

Did you know that there was a museum in the heart of Downtown Vancouver's West End? It's called the Roedde House, and it's a "a late-Victorian home in the Queen Anne revival style. Built in 1893 for the family of Gustav Roedde, the city's first bookbinder, it has been faithfully restored to reflect the day-to-day life of a middle class, immigrant family at the turn of the last century."



For only $5 per person, a friend and I checked out Roedde House and even got a guided tour! It's a very interactive museum, where you're allowed to snoop around the vintage artifacts that adorn the establishment and sit on the Victorian style furniture. The only things they ask you not to touch are the old Victorian clothing and books that they have out on display.



Looking through a Victorian "View-master":


Pincushion:


Vintage toy piano:


Kitchen:


Office:


The most popular program available at Roedde House is their Sunday afternoon Tea and Tour special, where you get a guided tour along with a tea tasting for only an $8 admission price!





Roedde House is located at 1415 Barclay Street, in the West End of downtown Vancouver. For more information, check out their website. Go visit a piece of Vancouver history today!

Da Vinci - The Genius

It was a rainy Monday this past week, and what better way to spend a stat holiday than by visiting the Telus World of Science to check out their exhibit, Da Vinci - The Genius.



Everyone else seemed to have gotten the same idea, since the place was PACKED!

At first, I was pretty disappointed with this exhibit. I guess I was expecting too much. I mean, I knew they weren't gonna bring the Mona Lisa over or anything like that, but I just didn't realize everything there was going to be a replica or a digital print of his work. However, after I got past that ideal, I realized that the purpose of the exhibit is to showcase his genius, and wow! That he was!

On display are models of inventions that he thought up and designed all those years ago. Things like a helicopter or a war tank, a catapult or what today would be considered a car. It's pretty amazing what he originated. And I found out he dissected humans in secrecy in order to know more about the human body. As well, the exhibit reveals 20+ secrets of the Mona Lisa. I won't tell you what they are - you'll have to go check out the show to find out!

All in all, it actually is quite an educational and interesting exhibit. It's perfect for kids of any age as you get to touch a lot of the displays. Plus, there's Lego Land next door, and all the other family friendly activities that Telus World of Science has to offer!



Da Vinci The Genius runs until September 3, so you have all summer to head over and explore!!

Vancouver Police Museum

For years I've been meaning to check out the Vancouver Police Museum, and a few weeks ago I finally managed to go check it out!

The museum is located at 240 East Cordova Street in Downtown Vancouver, on the top floor of the building originally used as the Coroner's Courtroom, offices, city morgue and autopsy facilities.

Inside, you'll see old school police uniforms, artifacts from notable murder cases, confiscated weapons, historical photos, and other gems from the police archives.

They have Education Programs for students including one on Forensics Science, and an upcoming exhibit on Women in the Police force.

The Vancouver Police Museum is open Tuesdays - Saturdays, 9-5pm and is closed on Stat holidays.

Chinese Canadian Military Museum

This past weekend I took a trip down to 555 Columbia Street for some Chinatown realness!

The plan was to visit the Chinese Canadian Military Museum, which is housed on the second floor of the Chinese Cultural Centre.

Also there right now is a photo journalism exhibit from Ming Pao newspaper, which ends on March 31st, so hurry down if you don't want to miss it!

Next to it is the Chinese Canadian Military Museum, which is open Tuesday - Sunday, 11am - 5pm. Admission is only $5 and what you get to see is a "wide range of photographs, documents, and artifacts which help tell the story of Chinese-Canadian soldiers in both world wars, and in conflicts since then."

Imagine a world without Internet or instant access to information, and receiving a telegraph or letter telling you that your child has gone missing from a world war.

It's a small museum, so you'll be done in an hour's time at the most. So why not make it a Chinatown day, and grab an apple tart over at New Town Bakery? Or go for lunch at the historic Foo's Ho Ho (the oldest Chinese restaurant in Chinatown). Then maybe take a stroll through the world renowned Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Or perhaps just stroll the streets and browse the shops for all that Chinatown has to offer!