Introduction:
At Pro-Tech, we love working with public art.
If you ever visited False Creek in Vancouver between 2015 and 2021, you probably saw the Trans Am Totem on Quebec Street near Science World. The work of Canadian artist, Marcus Bowcott, the totem was the legacy of the 2014-2016 Vancouver Biennale exhibition. Since then, it became part of the City of Vancouver’s public art collection.
It consisted of five refinished cars perched on top of an old growth cedar tree, supported by a steel pole and concrete foundation. Although the totem was disassembled in 2021, the City is committed to the refurbishment and relocation of the artwork to a new permanent location (to be announced). Back in 2015, when Vancouver Biennale needed help with installing the ten-meter-tall totem—weighing in at over 11,000 kgs—they called Pro-Tech.
The Challenge:
Location is everything, right? Public art needs to be displayed in a place where people will frequent. At the same time, when you’re installing it, you need to ensure the safety of the public. The site chosen for the Trans Am Totem was the median of one of Vancouver’s most prominent downtown streets, right close to where people live, work, play, and transit.
The art was to be viewable from Quebec Street, the Georgia Viaduct, the Skytrain, and Science World. Aside from our unyielding commitment to safety, it was also our goal to install the totem with minimal public disturbance or traffic disruption.
The Solution:
Vancouver Biennale trusted Pro-Tech with the installation of the totem. We worked directly with the artist and helped make his vision a reality. We assessed the requirements of the materials and planned the safest and most efficient method of installation. After gathering the right people and the right equipment, we organized the site and went to work.
All in all, it took us two days, but we got the job done without incident and with only nominal interference to traffic.
The Outcome:
The Trans Am Totem was installed safely and efficiently in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
Well received by the public and featured on local news, the artwork has been an iconic and beloved mainstay of the City.
For Vancouver Biennale and Marcus Bowcott, the installation was the result of years of creativity and diligent planning.
Pro-Tech was honoured to assist them in this endeavour.
This project is only one example of Pro-Tech’s partnership with Vancouver Biennale. For several years, Pro-Tech has been installing and removing local artwork on a rotating basis, as it is on loan from artists and other cities.
Vancouver Biennale also takes advantage of our storage and warehousing services to consolidate and store art in between exhibitions.
Pro-Tech and NorLand:
ProTech Industrial Movers is part of the newly formed NorLand Industrial Services Group, which is focused on delivering integrated solutions for a wide range of complex industrial projects. As a group of companies, we are well equipped with an exclusive combination of services that include demolition, engineering, specialized rigging and moving, installation, maintenance, and construction management. As our reputation for safety and service continues to grow, more and more industrial clients like the Vancouver Biennale are trusting the NIS Group to provide complete solutions to their biggest challenges.
NorLand Industrial Services Group is a part of NorLand Limited.
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