Vancouver Outdoor Art

Art. 

Everyone has their opinions, us included. Sometimes staring at that white canvas with paint splattered on it just doesn't do it for you. We get it.

BUT.

There is also some really cool art out there that even the most cynical can appreciate. We like to try to find the fun, whimsical stuff that everyone can see and have it sparks a smile. Take a trip around Vancouver, BC with us to find some of their best outdoor (which equals free) art exhibits! 

Digital Orca - Douglas Copeland

What do you get when you merge technology with nature? Well a digital orca of course! Overlooking the Burrard Inlet this leaping, lego-like sculpture takes something we are familiar with and offers a surprising double take. 

The Drop - Inges Idee

This steel sculpture is supposed to represent the power of nature. It is the moment when a raindrop hits the ground, multiplied by like a trillion times in size. Because, science.

This is a great one to see at night as well! 

The Words Don't Fit The Picture - Ron Terada

When you first stumble upon this work of art you say, "Oh wow, look at that." and then you read the sign and immediately wonder what the heck it means. We read up on it and we think the Terada himself explains it best:

“Taken within the context of a public library, the work touches upon – in a very poetic way – the use of words and language as boundless and imaginative, as a catalyst for a multiplicity of meanings.”

People flock to these sculptures to imitate the poses of hysterical laughter. 

Try not to crack a smile when you see these guys. Pure joy.

A-maze-ing Laughter -  Yue Minjun

These shirtless, laughing men live as a permanent installment by English Bay. They cost a pretty penny (1.5 million) but we think it was worth it for all the joy they bring the people of Vancouver.

Bright and completely out of place, but at the same time they seem to fit right in.

Love Your Bean - Cosimo Cavallaro

These giant jellybeans sit along the False Creek Seawall in Charleston Park. You can't miss them as they are, well, giant jellybeans sitting in a field of green. 

A map for your art viewing pleasure!

You don't have to visit all these in one day, but if and when you do visit them you'll find them at the places marked above. The Digital Orca and The Drop are both located at Canada Place. 

Olympic Sculpture Park

Free stuff is our jam. So are awesome waterfront parks and unique artwork. Olympic Sculpture Park: check, check, and check! 

This park is part of the Seattle Art Museum (although it is not in the same location) and was primarily funded by Microsoft COO, John Shirley (a modest $30 million). Lucky us!

And now Seattle has this wonderful park.

This park is full of wonderful, sharp lines.

Left: Eagle by Alexander Calder. Right: Echo by Jaume Plensa.

Eye see you. 

This park is a part of every tour we give friends from out of town. We love the architecture and the almost Easter egg hunt quality of the art. If you aren't looking for it, you could walk right by and never know! 

So go check it out! It is fairly wheelchair accessible, it is free, and there is parking. Kids love it, dogs love it, adults love it, heck we once saw a cat being walked and it looked about as happy as any cat can. 

Walk along the Seattle waterfront and look for seals along with art! 

Insider Tip: If you continue to follow the path once you get down to the waterfront you will eventually be in Myrtle Beach Park. Keep going! This park has an amazing walk along the water. Try to make it for a sunset; we promise, Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains make it quite the show!

Myrtle Beach Park takes you right up to Puget Sound.

Go here to see a map and more info about parking. 

We also recommend reading up on the art in the park so you don't miss any of the less obvious installments.