Laughter heals.
The world is a difficult place right now and a good laugh is hard to come by. With new and extended restrictions announced in BC over the upcoming holidays, we are all feeling a little anxious these days. And in the age of waves and pandemics, physical distancing and quarantines—a good laugh is hard to come by.
The saying laughter is the best medicine cannot be more true during 2020. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain and protects you from the damaging effects of stress.
Continuing with our wacky outdoor play spaces, we had a chance to visit Downtown West End back in early November to see these wacky, unmistakable laughing bronze sculptures, A-maze-ing Laughter. These sculptures are by Beijing Chinese artist Yue Minjun, who is best known for his oil paintings with the same likeness. This art piece was commissioned by the Vancouver Biennale for their 2009-2011 exhibition.
For all those Vancouverites who live and work downtown and are within this health region (at current times) this one’s for you.
How to plan your visit to A-maze-ing Laughter
Morton Park (at Davie Street and Denman Street) at English Bay in Vancouver
- @van_biennale
- @yueminjun001
Admission and Hours
Morton Park is open to the public at no charge 24 hrs a day.
Time spent at location
5-10 minutes
Parking
Best approached by foot, if you must drive, parking on 1835 Morton Avenue would be the closest to the sculptures.
Main Attraction
14 patinated cast-bronze figures that will surely put a smile on your fac.e
Special Notes
Minjun’s style of art is classified as “cynical realism,” a contemporary movement in Chinese art. A term coined to represent the combined disillusionment that emerged in Beijing after the 1989 student demonstration in Tiananmen Square. Humour, mockery and repetition with a heavy emphasis on the individual are trademarks of cynical realism works.
These sculptures are actually self-portraits of Minjun, all frozen in the same expression in the 14 different poses.
For those unfamiliar with Vancouver Biennale, they are a local non-profit organization that aims to make public art accessible and engaging for the public. This specific installation was made possible with a generous donation from Lululemon founders Chip and Shannon Wilson.
