Street Photography by Denis Bouvier
This photo is a small portion of the block–long mural on Beatty St. between Georgia and Dunsmuir. Created mainly by local graffiti artists led by the gifted Vincent Dumoulin, the mural celebrates the rich cultural diversity of Vancouver’s past and present with images of landmarks and a multitude of popular figures from all walks of life. In this depiction of the mural, we see figures commemorating Canada’s military with a red poppy in the background. The STOP sign is across the street outside the entrance to the Costco parking lot. The Tar Sands message could also be seen as a memorial of Vancouver’s political activism.
The military mural figures are looking towards a small park on the opposite side of the street dedicated on Remembrance Day of 2007 as St. Julien Square. Between Beatty St. and Citadel Parade, it sits beside the 1901 Drill Hall and Armoury of the British Columbia Regiment. St. Julien Square commemorates those soldiers from the 1st British Columbia Regiment who fought in the WWI 2nd battle of Ypres in the Belgium town of St Julien, one of the first battles where gas was used by the opposing force. Like the mural, it also honours soldiers from the past, present and future, especially those from the British Columbia Regiment who made and will continue to make sacrifices during war efforts.
Street Photography by Denis Bouvier
At one end of St. Julien Square is a simple metal table upon which is mounted a sample letter from a B.C. Regiment soldier writing to his wife from a European war camp. At the other end is a metal chest upon which is mounted a responding letter from his wife. These letters are unbearably touching, depicting the universal angst of two lovers separated by war. On two remaining sides of the square are benches commemorating B.C. soldiers who received the Victoria Cross during WWI. The square is small but significant, and gives us reason to pause on this upcoming Remembrance Day, whatever our feelings towards war.
The artwork of the table and chest is by Canadian artists Yvonne Lammench and Ian Carr-Harris.
Street Photography by Denis Bouvier
Street Photography by Denis Bouvier
Don Richardson
