Author Archives: John Atkin
Benny’s is a Place That Matters
On June 2, 2012 I had the pleasure and honour of being part of the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s plaque presentation to Benny’s Italian Market. It was the heritage house tour weekend, Benny’s had tents and tables set up, the grill … Continue reading
Kaleidoscope eyes: Daniel Buren’s Monumenta installation in Paris
French conceptual artist Daniel Buren is the fifth artist to take over the Grand Palais in Paris. His offering is Excentrique(s), a giant kaleidoscope-style installation that fills the building’s nave. The 2012 Monumenta site-specific commission in the vast, airy nave … Continue reading
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More Walking Tours
We have some more Sunday Changing City tours ready to go. 10 bucks, 10:00 am in the morning. Join us on these dates: May 27th. Southeast False Creek: A Revisit. Since our last visit, numerous projects are now out of … Continue reading
Filed under History, Uncategorized, urban design, Vancouver
Pigs to be raised in Stanley Park?
In 1918 there was a suggestion that pigs should be raised in Stanley Park. No reason was given why this was a good idea.
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Looking at Trees
There are places that we pass by every day and don’t really pay attention to. But if we just take the time to take a closer look we might be surprised. I had the priviledge of taking a delightful Jane’s … Continue reading
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False Creek in Chinatown
As part of the research into the development of Chinatown along Pender Street I’ve been looking at False Creek and its changing shorelines. this quick sketch shows the original and early 1900s shorelines before fill pushed the shoreline out to … Continue reading
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Ghost Buildings
An interesting post on the Daily Undertaker regarding architecture and loss… “There is a kind of afterlife that exists in our physical world. Our actions and experiences continue to resonate long after the situations they were born in are gone. … Continue reading
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More Great Moments in Park Board History
In 1910 crows in Stanley Park became targets.
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The Human Fly
We often hear about Harry Houdini doing his escape act at the Sun Building on Pender Street in 1923, where he was suspended from the third floor and wriggled free from a straight jacket. But before him was Harry Gardiner … Continue reading
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Joe Fortes – The Book
Joe Fortes was a well-loved Vancouver humanitarian, who provided lifeguarding services and swimming instruction at English Bay beach during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Lisa Smith and Barbara Rogers have studied Joe’s life for the last eight years … Continue reading
Filed under book, History, Uncategorized, Vancouver
