The daily commute to and from work - as well as to other Metro Vancouver destinations - on public transit intrigued artists Pamela Cambiazo, Lena Tan and Kate MacDonald a few years back.
The trio had known each other through a community artists workshop and, late one night, Cambiazo and MacDonald connected via social media, chatting about transit and how it creates small communities that quickly dissolve as the passengers leave a bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus or West Coast Express car.
Three years ago, they mounted an exhibit about public transit, titled Fleeting, at the Britannia Community Services Centre, in Vancouver, that was well received.
And on Thursday, they will continue with their display in Port Coquitlam to coincide with the city's public consultation for a new master transportation plan.
About 30 pieces - in various media - will be in the PoCo exhibit from MacDonald, Cambiazo, and Tan as well as from guest artists Michael Asti-Rose, Joy Hanser, Ksenia Kozhevnikova, Jessie McNeil and Natalie Onuka.
But MacDonald's work has changed since the Britannia show, where she included a cut-out of Wonder Woman as part of a 3D installation. The response she got then prompted her to take the subject to a new level: The East Vancouver resident photographed herself in a Wonder Woman costume at bus shelters.
MacDonald said travelling by bus, SkyTrain and SeaBus can be a different experience than commuting by West Coast Express, which passes through the Tri-Cities.
For the first three modes, people tend to keep to themselves because of the forced closeness; however, with West Coast Express, MacDonald said she has spoken with travellers who, because of the schedules, take the same car at the same times. "There is more of a community feeling," she said, adding, "It's interesting how people connect depending where they are."
The opening reception for Transitory/Transit Story: Art and Public Transit in the Lower Mainland, is on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Leigh Square Community Arts Village (behind PoCo city hall). It will include a talk with Joy Hanser. The exhibit runs until July 15. As well, Lena Tan will have an artist trading card field trip on June 13 and 14 (call 604-927-8441 or email [email protected] to register).
