I am riding a bicycle for the first time in 20 years, and “my” city has opened up to me like a jack-in-the-box. I am making a tour of 24 sculptures from 11 countries, which have been nestled in Vancouver’s public landscape for 18 months. There are no Do Not Touch signs. This cultural “invasion” was actually the inaugural Vancouver Sculpture Biennale, and each work begged to be touched and scrutinized—on foot or roller blades, by bicycle or wheelchair, 24/7. Although Vancouver prides itself on its natural beauty, the concept of free public art has only recently taken root here.
