Community & Philanthropy | Mar 2, 2023

Downtown Van partners with Cadillac Fairview and Vancouver Biennale to find a new home for the sculpture for the first time in a decade

Downtown Van and Vancouver Biennale have partnered with Cadillac Fairview to install a globally significant public artwork in Vancouver which has not been publicly exhibited in a decade.

Artificial Rock Feb 28

Downtown Van and Vancouver Biennale have partnered with Cadillac Fairview to install a globally significant public artwork in Vancouver which has not been publicly exhibited in a decade.

“The Vancouver Biennale is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate to install ARTIFICIAL ROCK #143 by Zhan Wang, a world-class artwork in a new location,” said Nina Kim, Vancouver Biennale, Collections Manager. “Art has the ability to activate space, build communities and create safe, accessible, destinations – people love to engage with art”.

ARTIFICIAL ROCK #143 is supported by Cadillac Fairview and located in the public plaza at 200 Granville Square at the north end of Granville Street.

ARTIFICIAL ROCK #143 was artist Zhan Wang’s Canadian debut when it was installed for the 2009 - 2011 Vancouver Biennale exhibition. Located at Granville & Georgia Street, it became a downtown hub for gathering during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

One of the most renowned sculptors working in China today, Zhan Wang represents the emergence of contemporary Chinese art onto the world stage.

Jiashanshi, which means “fake mountain rocks” in Mandarin, dates back to the Han Dynasty over 2000 years ago, when they were placed in front of important buildings and in gardens for decoration and meditation, restoring man’s connection to nature.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Vancouver Biennale to bring more public art to Downtown Vancouver,” says Jane Talbot, Interim President and CEO of Downtown Van. “Enhancing the public realm is a priority for our organization, and one of the best ways to do that is through public art pieces,” she says. “Having supportive property developers like Cadillac Fairview, championing the city’s arts and culture scene, makes it possible to bring projects like this to life.”

For more information, please contact: Sofia Laratta Lead, Marketing and Communications Downtown Van E: sofia@dtvan.ca T: 778-953-5412

Nina Kim Collections Manager Vancouver Biennale E. ninakim21@gmail.com T. 647-201-8048

Anna Ng Sr. Manager, External Communications Cadillac Fairview E. ang@cadillacfairview.com T. 416-598-8246

About Downtown Van

Downtown Van is a non-profit organization that represents 7,000 businesses and property owners in the central 90-block area of Vancouver’s downtown core. Supporting them and making Downtown Vancouver a place where everyone feels welcome, drives us. Our team members are experts in economic development, community safety, placemaking, and events. They’re passionate about making Downtown Vancouver a destination like no other. Learn more at www.dtvan.ca, this will open in a new tab.

About the Vancouver Biennale

The Vancouver Biennale is a non-profit charitable organization that celebrates art in public space, creating a catalyst for learning, community engagement, and social action where people live, work, play, and transit. Our mission is to make great art accessible, transform and activate public space, grow the cultural assets of our host cities, and bring a wide diversity of people together through the shared experience of art. www.vancouverbiennale.com, this will open in a new tab

About Cadillac Fairview

Cadillac Fairview (CF) is a globally focused owner, operator, investor, and developer of best-in-class real estate across retail, office, residential, industrial and mixed-use asset classes. Wholly owned by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, CF manages in excess of $40 billion of assets across the Americas, Europe and Asia. Learn more at www.cadillacfairview.com and follow CF on LinkedIn.

For photos and video of Artificial Rock #143 by Zhan Wang, please click here, this will open in a new tab to view and download.

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