Springing in the Rain
With rising temperatures, plants and trees grow and blossom. Birds become more vocal regaling the world with their sonorous and amorous songs. After long dormant nights, life returns. The wheel of the seasons turn, to put it poetically, and yes, love is in the air.
The air around these parts happens to be very wet, and these sculptures, dedicated to the eternal bonds we share, uses rain as an overarching theme. It is made of padlocked figures, possibly lovers, holding umbrellas under the rain. Visitors are invited to add their own padlocks to the figures and cement eternal bonds by throwing away the key (in the provided collection box).
The following sign has a description of these participatory sculptures and the meaning behind them. I've also transcribed it at the end of this post. Thank you for visiting!
Welcome to Love in the Rain the Vancouver Park Board's first love lock sculpture. Local artist Bruce Boyce, submitted this winning design in response to a competition for a Vancouver specific sculpture that would allow visitors to partake in the love lock tradition.
Love locks are padlocks that romantic partners have traditionally locked to a bridge, gate, or similar public fixture to show their love. Names or initials are inscribed on a padlock, and its key is disposed of to symbolize an unbreakable bond. In an effort to prevent damage to city infrastructure, interactive sculptures such as the one in front of you, have been developed in many cities around the world.
Bruce designed this sculpture in 2016 to act as a participatory art project that speaks of love in the temperate rainforest. It celebrates the shelter that love brings and the union that it forms.
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Thank you!
I love the meaning behind the sculptures – they’re beautiful!!😍
I like that anyone can participate and build it up as time goes by. It is very thoughtful art.
It is, and it’s beautiful too.
Thank you, @jlinaresp!
It's amazing how they turned a tradition into a piece of art. The story behind it is just as beautiful as the sculpture itself
It's a wonderful and clever idea. The sculptures are located in a park, so it's a great location for visitors.