DiscoverTotems

The totem symbolism is a nice touch!

To meet the mascots, click on http://www.vancouver2010.com/mascot/en/meet.php 

Melissa Mollen Dupuis and Toto Mikawa

Artivistic 2007 [espaces in.occupés / un.occupied space]
http://www.artivistic.org

what is indeginous?
Thursday, October 25 at 2PM and 8PM (rain or shine)
at the park with no name
with the collaboration of DARE-DARE (www.dare-dare.org) and articule

2PM: Zone de reserve
performance by Melissa Mollen Dupuis (Innue)
started from the parc sans nom, with a visit to Toto Mikawa

Through humour and performance art, the artist proposes a different point of view on aboriginal identity in relationship with tourism and economy. Will the marketing of the ”indian” image save ancestral traditions ou will it stop the natural evolution of aboriginal cultures in history?

There is also a connection to be made between the designation of “urban indian” and “reserve indian”. Is the reserve a cultural space or an identity enclosure?

For the second trip in a row, I've been prevented from getting to the sister totem pole to Royal Totem Pole!

Royal Totem pole is actually a copy of the one in Great Windsor Park and is located in a section of the park called Virginia Waters. On my last trip earlier this year, I couldn't wrangle enough time and a car to get out to the park and on this trip the whole park was cordoned off due to an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease. My geocaching buddies Team Sandivka were all geared up and ready to place a cache at nearby with me and kick off a mini-world travel bug race. But heck, none of us were ready to risk a run in with the Queen's guards. So we resolved to go back a third time as soon as the outbreak is contained..so stay tuned!

A few weeks back (October 6/7), I found myself on with a free weekend in Australia, so I rented a car and drove from Canberra to Sydney.

As always I kept my eye out for totem poles and found this art installation inspired by traditional totem poles by Sydney artist, Jane Becker, entitled "Future Totems" part of Art & About @ Circular Quay and located at Customs House Square.

I am fascinated by reproductive technology and the ways it is affecting our genetics, families, influences and identity. In traditional cultures, totem poles represent community and family history. We are now moving away from the notion of the traditional family tree. My work takes its cue from my family and I hope it will have resonance for other people. My daughter is obsessed with cats, penguins and elephants, so you’ll see them on her pole. Retro rocket ships link the past and future." - Artist, Jane Becker

Last weekend, I attended a fund-raising reception at the Spirit Wrestler Gallery in Gastown for the Stanely Park Restoration. This past December, Stanley Park was heavily damaged by a storm that brought down thousands of trees.

At the fundraiser, I was able to purchase a beautiful Pendelton blanket by Coast Salish artist, Susan Point - and meet the artist herself.  

Later this year, Stanley Park will receive a new addition with the installation of People Amongst the People, a major sculptural and architectural commission by  Susan Point. In support of these important projects, the Spirit Wrestler Gallery annouced the release of a new limited edition Pendleton blanket by Susan Point titled Renewal – Honouring the Spirit of Stanley Park with two open-edition variations in different colours of the same design titled Spirit World. Susan Point has also produced three new limited edition prints based on the Stanley Park project and four new sculptural works. The proceeds from the sale of these works will be donated to the park.

Found in the market in Ottawa, On.

Two Welcome poles carved by artist Robert Davidson
N49 01.107 W122 47.799

We finally got to see the Oppenheimer Park's Memorial Pole this weekend during the Powell Street Festival - a celebration of Japanese culture in the heart of the neighbor that used to be called Japantown before the interments of Japanese-Canadians during WWII. They didn't return to the neighborhood - but come back each summer to remember and celebrate with japanese food, dance and music.

The pole itself stands all year round watching the comings and goings of the park's largely homeless population. It's great to see everyone enjoying the park together for one weekend of the year; mingling with street people, upscale japanese pottery booths and elderly japanese men in traditional garb doing karate high kicks.

Toto Mikawa is by Chief Mathias Joe (Capilano?). It was transported by train to Montreal in 1956. It is now located on Bellechasse St on the corner of boulevard St-Laurent.