The Vancouver story

We returned safely from Vancouver, but not without getting sick - darn it all! But it means I will move slowly through the next couple of weeks.

A few pictures tell the story.  Excuse any duplicates please.

The installation began by unloading the shorty sculpture - which traveled very well in the back of a cube van. The truck's ramp and the wheels on the base of the sculpture helped too.  We are hoping it will do as well in the Blue Ox - Babe, a.k.a. - the truck.

Once inside the Conference Centre, we attached the 'long' stem, with all the HIV medication bottles on it, and lowered the bowl into place.  The nut that holds it all together (as opposed to the nut who made it) was attached to the metal rod that joins bottom to top. Finally the ropes were untied and the wooden carrying/lifting supports removed and the sculpture stood alone. Well not really.  People gathered under it to chat and discuss pill consumption, criminalization of HIV, drug costs and so much more. This was the most exciting for me.  I don't share images of this because I didn't ask people if I could post their pictures - but I understand that there were plenty of images shared. Here is a friend and I chatting.

I placed a few of the red ribbons on the sculpture, but was distracted by the Conference.  They look fantastic. It was a very interesting few days, with other artists showing their work, great conversations, oral presentations and posters, as well as the exchanges that take place at big meetings.

All too soon it was time to pack up and leave.  After the closing ceremonies Sunday, it was amazing how people disappeared.  I was grateful to my traveling companion, the hotel staff and one deligate who offered to help.  He had also been involved in an art installation at the meeting - photos of life for those living in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Here he is assisting with the return loading.You can see that a couple of bottles need to be replaced on the base - which was the most exposed part of the sculpture.