One of Vancouver's most recognizable, and sometimes controversial, pieces of public art is about to return to the public eye.
The "Trans Am Totem," made up of cars stacked on a tree, is expected to be erected this summer, the city tells Vancouver Is Awesome.
"We can share that work is progressing well and we are hoping for a summer install," reads a statement from the City of Vancouver. "We are not able to share location information yet as our process with public art installations is to inform the neighbours first."
While the city couldn't divulge the specific site, it did confirm "Trans Am Totem" is expected to be erected somewhere in Vancouver's Fairview neighbourhood. Originally, it stood on Quebec Street near False Creek.
In previous emails with Vancouver Is Awesome, artist Marcus Bowcott explained the "Trans Am Totem" was being stored by the city in a warehouse near Main and Terminal streets, where it was being cleaned and bird-proofed.
He noted the process of finding a new place was taking time.
A brief history of the 'Trans Am Totem'
The "Trans Am Totem" was created by Bowcott with Helene Aspinall and installed on Quebec Street near Milross Avenue in 2015 as part of the Vancouver Biennale.
North Vancouver's Bowcott created the piece as a commentary on throwaway culture, according to the sculpture festival. It features a stack of cars (topped with a Trans Am) on top of a large section of an old-growth tree.
"By stacking smashed automobiles and levitating them high above the roadway, Bowcott serves to remind us of the ultimate responsibilities we bear to our planet and future generations," states the Vancouver Biennale website.
"'Trans Am Totem' fantasizes a justified end to car culture even as countless automobiles zoom past on asphalt and concrete ribbons and ooze pollutants and spent carbon fuels into the atmosphere."
The original deal was for the art to be displayed for two years. A two-year extension was granted before it came down. In 2018, local billionaire Chip Wilson bought the piece and donated it to the city.
The cars and tree section remained on site until August of 2021, when it was taken apart by the city.
"We're taking down Marcus Bowcott and Helene Aspinall’s 'Trans Am Totem' to properly restore this public art piece, which has incurred significant damage from birds," stated the City of Vancouver in a tweet.
Since then, it's remained out of sight while a new site was found.
