Over the past couple of weeks Kim Cooper and I have been creating a canopy that can also function to collect rain water. We initially met and looked over the site to see how we could take advantage of the natural slope and the different posts and poles already present.
We sketched out some ideas on how to use some of the remaining vinyl material from Eric Deis’s photo mural “Last Chance” to capture and funnel the water.
We wanted to use the large cedar tree but have it appear underneath so people have to walk under the canopy to see the image. Only hints of the B/W image would appear on the top as an enticement.
To mark out a pattern and take measurements we used jute and stones.
Once we had a pattern in place, we went on a search for used rope at the docks by Granville Island. This took some serious digging through wooden boxes filled with worn and frayed rope.
Kim laid out the pattern and we met to fold, mark and cut out the vinyl. It turned out that we couldn’t unfold the vinyl in my studio, it was just too small. Instead, we took it across the street and unfolded it in the parking lot of a local business.
Having cut out and marked the pattern, we rented an industrial sewing machine to stitch the multiple layers and flaps into place. The vinyl was so large, heavy and cumbersome that we started to refer to it as “The Beast.” It took two of us to lift it and feed it into the sewing machine.
Eventually the beast was ready to take to the Lab. We decided it would be easier to put the grommets in on-site. Using some of our scavenged rope we hoisted the canopy into position so we could work on getting the correct tension.
Once it was taught, we slid in airline cable and clamped it into place. We then weaved in the ropes through the grommets in the centre of the canopy. The ropes will act as a conduit for the rain water to travel into the barrel below.
Grow will act as a public forum, teaching tool and creative laboratory for ecological and social sustainability practices. The objective of this program is to explore Vancouver’s expanding identity as a sustainable city through the site of South East False Creek.
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