VANCOUVER BIENNALE

With the long, hot days of summer nearly here, it's only natural that you are planning how your outdoor adventures can supplement your Instagram account. Before you resign yourself to joining the hordes of people vying for selfie space near Siwash Rock, try taking a photo with a giant jelly bean.

Vancouver Biennale is a bi-annual public art exhibition that celebrates international artists through sculpture, new media, and performance works in public spaces. The first exhibit in 1998 was a collaboration with the Vancouver Park Board and brought international sculpture to English Bay for four months. It was so well received that the Vancouver Biennale was established as a non-profit charitable organization. Subsequent exhibitions occurred in 2005-2007, 2009-2011, and 2014-2016. To date, Vancouver Biennale has featured 91 outdoor sculpture and new media works throughout Metro Vancouver by 78 artists from 15 countries and 4 continents. 

Some of the sculptures from the exhibitions have remained in Vancouver as Legacy Works, such as the A-maze-ing Laughter sculptures at Morton Park, and Echoes, the 16 stainless steel chairs at Kitsilano Beach. Other works are only here until the end of this exhibition, such as Love Your Beans at Charleston Park (the giant jelly beans) and Trans Am Totem (the scrap-metal cars on the Cedar tree) at Quebec Street and 217.5 Arc x 13 (sometimes referred to as the ship hull) at Sunset Beach.

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LIFETIME COLLECTIVE

Lifetime Collective launched in 2002 from a basement, largely as a graphic t-shirt production for the skate and snow community. What began as a collaboration between friends has become a lifestyle collection in a bricks and mortar establishment on Main Street. Not only has its location improved, but Lifetime has also expanded to include something for everyone (probably even your grandmother).  

The founders, Reid Stewart and Trevor Fleming, continue to design their collections. Stewart designs the Uniform Standard collection, designed for quality and value. Fleming designs the main collection, which focuses on quality fabrics and finishing for the boutique customer. 

Lifetime describes itself as, "A collection of wearable artwork and identity". Their designs focus on the creative community, working with artists, photographers, musicians, filmmakers, skateboarders and snowboarders to influence the brand, creating "wearable art". Their products are made in China, Argentina, Canada and the United States, and are sold throughout the world (and on their website). 

As if the clothing design and production weren't enough, Lifetime also produces Free Thinkers, a biannual zine that features artists and collaboration pieces, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. 

In addition to clothing and the zine, Lifestyle carries a range of accessories from ties and hats to cologne, ceramics and soap (the kind you could sniff all day). We are willing to bet that you can't walk out of this store without wanting to buy at least one thing.

See more here.