Molson Brewery Unveils Mosaic Mural for 2010
byHave you seen this while driving across the Burrard Bridge or heading out of Kits? This morning there will be an unveiling at the Molson Brewery and I’m running over to cover it.
We’ve had a few phone calls this morning and an inquiry on twitter regarding the black draping on our brewery in Vancouver. February 11th at 9am we will be unveiling what’s behind the mural in an effort to engage Canadians from coast to coast to coast to rally in support of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Parlympic Winter Games. Molson is proudly the official supplier of beer to the 2010 Games.
Look for more details and how you can join together with your family, friends and acquaintances in communities across this great nation to rally in support for the games and Team Canada. [Molson Community Blog]
I’ll have my own photos (and more details) shortly after 9:00am.
Update: At 9:00am this morning workers from the Molson Brewery on Burrard gathered outside to celebrate the unveiling of a 2010 mosaic mural project.
Molson, being Canada’s oldest brewery and having recently celebrated 50 years of brewing in Vancouver, wanted to bring communities from across the nation together in one place. This 4,000 square foot mural will feature uploaded and submitted photos by (legal drinking age) Canadians from coast to coast and will be updated every few months to reveal a giant image, and message, in honor of the Winter Games that will kick off in Vancouver one year from tomorrow.
“Molson is preparing to welcome the world to Vancouver in a truly Canadian way,” said David Bigioni, Brand Director, Molson Canadian. “The 2010 Mural Project will give Canadians from all corners an opportunity to share a personal connection with the Games and show our athletes that we stand proudly behind them.”
The final mural image will also be made available as a poster, with proceeds going to the Canadian Olympic Foundation.
I’m pleased to support Molson’s community and social media efforts after they’ve shown much love for bloggers and have supported every event that I have organized in the last few months (from Best of 604, to WordCamp Whistler, and tomorrow’s Twestival).
If you live in Canada, snap a photo of yourself raising a pint and submit it to The 2010 Mural Project and your image could be featured on the mural.
You can view all my photos from this morning’s launch in my Flickr set
Update January 25, 2010 Molson Coors has unveiled the final product which is Canada’s largest mosaic mural!
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You can see how it looks on the side of the building via this Twitter photo from @MolsonFerg.
28 Comments — Comments Are Closed
I drive by there every morning between 9:30-10am as I cross the Burrard bridge. I’ve noticed that they’ve had a tent erected just outside the building, and I figured it had to be something interesting.
Will drive by today looking to see the new promo wall, and I’ll come back later to check out the pictures you’ve posted. Thanks for the heads up!
Ahhh I was on the bus this morning & wondered what it was all about, thanks!
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Ya, I guess if the Olympics weren’t coming here we would have no homeless people anywhere. Somehow it doesn’t stop you from going about YOUR day does it.
Thats such a cool idea! I love that they are gathering pictures of people from all over the country. What a great way to support the Olympics!
I < 3 Molson
Olympics or no Olympics, drug/alcohol abuse is always going to be a problem in Vancouver and as a result, homelessness. Why the hate Jenny?
I don’t think that Molson had poor intentions when creating this mural – it’s all part of business and advertising AND proceeds are going to a good cause (if that is what you are into). I’m tempted to snap a photo of myself to have displayed on their mural. Then again, I wouldn’t want to cause any traffic accidents when people saw my ugly mug sucking back a cold one.
Wow, beers at 9:00am. Awesome. Way to get into the Olympic spirit, Molson!
I was invited to go but I have troubles taking time off work to get to these events that are during business hours 🙁
Robyn and I submitted our photos so it will be cool to go see if we can find them if they accepted!
Saw the mural as I drove by this morning. Since it was a quick drive-by, I wasn’t able to examine it from up close, but from what I did see I was a little disappointed. A fill in the blank and empty white mural with a bunch of little squares it appeared to be. Now having read the explanation provided here it makes a little more sense, and is quite an exciting idea.
Keira, homelessness is a major problem without question, but to somehow imply that by not having the Olympic games homelessness would’ve been eradicated, I think that’s a big stretch. It’s a problem everywhere, olympics or no olympics, not just Vancouver. As much as the games have stirred controversy, it’s done a lot of good in forcing the governments to make some much needed upgrades to the city and surrounding region. Besides, Molson’s simply trying to show support for our country and athletes.
Thanks again Rebecca.
I was in no way making an implication that homelessness would be eradicated had the Olympics not been awarded to Vancouver. It’s an issue that would, however, more likely be given due attention had they not.
The initial referendum was put only to Greater Vancouver residents – it was not a Province-wide vote, yet all BC residents are paying for the games. I suspect that, had the referendum been put to all BC residences, it would have been voted down.
Homelessness and poverty have been a problem not only in Greater Vancouver but all across the Province for decades. My bottom line is that I cannot wrap my head around the idea that hundreds of millions – and possibly billions – of dollars are being spent on what is, in my opinion, a superfluous event. Meanwhile, the socioeconomic crises (including homelessness, proverty, drug abuse, our health/medical and unacceptable education/childcare shortages) are not being given every possible effort they deserve.
Instead, it seems to me that these socioeconomic problems are simply being given an allotted allowance to tide them over and stretch them out, reserving the majority of Provincial and Federal tax funding for the 2010 Games. Were these problems addressed and adequately taken care of, I would have supported the Games. Instead, I feel that the Liberal government is no different than someone who goes out and splashes $500 on a pair of shoes on payday and then hasn’t enough money to cover the month’s bills.
When I said I was tired of stepping over bodies it’s because I am. I was never allowed a say in the Olympics (as I still lived on Vancouver Island during the referendum) and, like many others, feel our Province’s money could be better spent on more critical needs. Period.
Thanks for sharing the pics and video! Did they let you keep the sign you’re holding in the bar? 🙂
OMG I can’t believe how much you look like your Oma in that picture! (same smile, different hair)
@Mom, I look like an 88 year old woman? Hehe Oma rocks (and probably wouldn’t mind the brewery tour either)
Its funny people believe that money allocated for the Olympic related projects has been diverted from funding the homelessness crisis. It hasn’t. If the Olympics weren’t coming the funding for the homelessness would have remained the same. In fact, the Olympics shines a spotlight on our city and raises the issues that need to be dealt with.
Hate the Olympics all you want, but when they come either you better be one of the angry protesters or sitting at home going about your business. You can’t hate the Olympics and then participate in the festivities. That is hypocritical and all your commentary would be disregarded. If you do boycott then Kudos for sticking to your principles 🙂
Miss 604, thank you for your coverage and post about the mural reveal today at the brewery. Your pictures and video are great! I wish I could’ve been there…
I am pleased to see all my colleagues working at the brewery in Vancouver all out there to participate in this event today. Sure seems like it was a great day…
I am looking forward to see this Mural Completed!
Cheers to Vancouver!
Keira said everything I was thinking and very well at that. I will be boycotting the Olympics, in fact I won’t be in town when they are taking place. I also don’t want to pay the bills after the event is over for a two week party for the elite.
@ Charlene, What if I don’t believe that we should build a highway up north or on Vancouver Island because I will never use it. Should I refuse to pay for that as well. Also I’m assuming you’ll never use the Canada Line, attend a convention at the convention centre or go public skating at the Olympic Oval or perhaps stroll around the new addition to the seawall @ the Olympic Village or visit any other facilities that were fast tracked (but still eventually needed) for the Olympics.
The Olympics has led to the building of great infrastructure for many commmunities to share and benefit. As a province we don’t always get to use all facilities because they are simply too far, but should we deny other too participate?
@Urban Dweller = ” It hasn’t. If the Olympics weren’t coming the funding for the homelessness would have remained the same.”
That’s pretty sad isn’t it? I think it’s pretty strange that they can come up with billions of dollars to pay for all these venues and infrastructure changes, but can’t invest any more money in the people in this city.
I love the idea of the mural, I would be inspired as an athlete to go above and beyond knowing you have the support of your nation behind you. To compete in the Olympics is a dream come true for most athletes, to do so in their home nation and know that they carry the hopes and dreams of other Canadians makes it even sweeter.
Having said that, it is disappointing to here comments such as Charlene’s and Keira’s. Our athletes don’t need to hear about the whining of people who are obviously uneducated on where funding for the Olympics come from and where revenue goes.
Just under 80% of the total expense for the games comes from the IOC in the form of international broadcast contracts, international and domestic sponsorships, licensing and merchandising, ticket sales and fund-raising.The remainder comes from a number of sources including tax money from us but also the rest of Canada. Other cities like Montreal, Toronto and Calgary have made contributions in the millions as they see the dollar benefit in tourism that the games bring to their cities. The same will happen here, in the long run our city and province will benefit from profits and improvements we have made as a result of the Olympic Games being in Vancouver.
It’s time we stop blaming the Olympics for our shortcomings and get excited to support our Athletes to bring home the gold for the first time on Canadian soil!
@ Duane, it true but sad. I know I probably came across as an ass but whatever I’m supporter of the Olympics. However, that by no means indicates I have a problem with funding social housing etc…
@ Seemore, I agree with you and great analysis. The majority of the Vancouver public like to jump on the poverty bandwagon. The fact is poverty has been a problem long before we even got the Olympics. Once in awhile you want to have some fun too. Now I know that not all can partake in it however, most of our tax dollars are spent on things we may never use anyways. That is the way the system works. Things like this are done for a greater good of the majority and the rest just have to deal with it.
Too many people in Vancouver come off sounding like Burnaby Mayor Derrick Corrigan. Who hates the Olympics primarily because Burnaby was left out. Asshat.
Well said Urban Dweller.
To add: Molson is not the government, they can spend their money supporting whatever they want and good on them for choosing something that all Canadians can be proud of.
Miss604…it is really neat to look at the project through your eyes and experience with it. Now we just need to rally thousands of Canadians to upload their photos and support the games. We will also continue to look at ways of supporting the greater community through our continued efforts by our local Vancouver team with the food bank initaitves and other community based activities. Regards @MolsonFerg
@ Jenny, thanks I knew there were more people that support the Olympics.Its sad that we don’t voice our opinions as loudly as the ones that hate the Olympics.
@ Ferg. Thanks Molson for a really cool experience and idea.
The comments here are interesting from both the PRO and ANTI Olympic factions, but the reality is the Games are supposed to bring people together, which as everyone here can surely attest … doesn’t seem to be working.
If Molson wants to really make this a cohesive community success, how about including a few photos of the alcoholics struggling in the DTES. Fearless City collected hundreds of phones last month just for such an occasion. Lets put them to work and show both sides of the Olympic coin.
Hopefully Molson won’t simply make it an old school analog advertising stunt, and instead turn it into progressive and responsible social commentary by creating a companion website that includes short bios of the people behind the pictures. That would truly be historic. Anonymity is passé in the age of Twitter. Give people a voice if they want it.
You no longer have to be Pro or Anti Olympics because there is a middle ground, and the choice you make shouldn’t be unconditional.
2010 certainly didn’t cause homelessness, but there are stacks of well documented evidence to prove it made it worse, and anyone who argues otherwise needs to do a little research before they spread misinformation hurtful to our community.
If you ignore history you’re doomed to repeat it.
Drink & Blog responsibly !!
Cheers,
Maurice Cardinal
Editor: http://www.OlyBLOG.com
Author: http://www.LeverageOlympicMomentum.com
P.S. Stick to your guns Keira-Anne
P.S.S. Great work Miss604!
Robyn’s photo is the top left corner of the ‘R’ 🙂 I never did submit a photo of myself hehe
I think it’s strange that people continue to blame BC and Vancouver for our homelessness issues when a large portion of our homeless come from out of province. Why should BC taxpayers be responsible for homeless people who only live on the streets in Vancouver because it’s too damn cold to live on the streets in Quebec and Alberta? Why is no one critical of the cities from which these homeless people originate?
Here we have a great event that is bringing worldwide focus and profit to our city. The 2010 legacy fund has injected millions of dollars into handicapped accessibility, education, parks, programs, sporting facilities and more that will help ensure that the people of our province live richer lives in the future. I am ashamed of the “fad” of negativity that is coming from my fellow British Columbians. I agree that it is a superfluous event, and I didn’t particularly want them initially, but the fact is that we won the bid and now the Olympics are here, so why not make it the best possible event it can be? I refuse to let my region down, so I am fully engaged in the games as a volunteer for not only the Olympics but the Paralympics (Which I am more excited about than the Olympics) and the Cultural Olympiad as well. Many of the volunteers running these games are coming from 100 mile house, Kelowna, Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. I am going to do my best to ensure that these games have a positive and lasting impact on our region. I strongly disagree with the comment about a “two week party for the elite” – Surrey’s live venue is in its poorest are and is completely free. I’m dead broke and yet I get to see the opening ceremonies because I gave a damn and volunteered. Many of my friends have found jobs in and around the Olympics, and will get to meet athletes, foreigners, and other Vancouverites. Not to mention the Torch relay that has touched countless communities around our beautiful countries. If you have read the Vancouver Sun stories about the torch relay than you would know that the ‘games’ touch our country in many many ways. We are selfish to think that this affects only us in and around Vancouver.
I give props to Molson for beautifying one more of Vancouver’s blocks. We need more public art, period. As for the homeless – the Olympics have given Vancouver reason to see our problems through a new lens, and as sad as it might be that it takes an event like this to motivate the Powers that Be to instigate change, unfortunately that’s just the way the world works when you live in a capitalist society. Be happy that change is happening and do your best to keep the momentum moving.