LED Light Sculpture by Ken Lum
East Vancouver inhabitants lovingly refer to their town as “East Van,” a nickname that is now boldly emblazoned onto the night sky. The East Van logo seen below has been in use until at least the 1940s. Local artist Ken Lum erected this huge homage with LED lights, creating an instant icon in his beloved city.
The East Van Cross, as it is known by locals, captures much of the city’s playfulness. The graphic cross shape and the sheer scale – 20 meters high – conjures the flippant, casual attitude widespread in the growingly hip area. The use of LED lights gives the sculpture weight while still looking inherently modern.
The LED lights are also a (somewhat abstracted) nod to East Vancouver’s historic status as the “Neon Capital of Canada.” From a city planning point of view, it’s also great to have such visible landmarks; Boston’s Citgo sign illuminated by LED lights, for example, is such a handy tool for residents and visitors alike, few people today even equate it to an ad for gas.
