The Lantern City Installations for Lunar New Year in Vancouver
byCollaborating with Eastside Arts Society, Indigenous artists, Asian Canadian artists, and more, The Lantern City installations for the Lunar New Year return to five sites around Vancouver. For the year of the snake, the theme is Fluidity in Diversity. It’s free to visit these sites, enjoy the artwork, and learn more about the meaning behind each piece and exhibition as a whole.
The Lantern City Installations
for Lunar New Year in Vancouver
The Lantern City (as part of LunarFest Vancouver) asks us to reflect on the spirit of the snake, striving for a balance between giving and receiving.
“Every day, we navigate between dichotomies: witnessing authoritative systems walk the line between exercising power and exerting fear, asking ourselves if the risk and reward is worth our action. Striking a balance can be a compromise, where we are flexible to other ideas. When what is different is embraced and celebrated, diversity blooms. The snake is a creature of fluidity; what might appear as a straight line can also form a circle, reminding ourselves that we can never have one without the other.”
We Are Family
Location: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (North of the Vancouver Art Gallery)
Dates: January 29 to February 18, 2025
Details: Hundred Pace Snake by Godkidlla 小子. A series of works that ties together Canada and Taiwan and the ocean that bridges them. In the never-ending loop of life, we continue to wish each other good blessings and good health to face the next turn. Discover the meaning of infinity in the Year of the Snake with this unique set of lanterns
Location: 800 Robson Plaza (South side of the Vancouver Art Gallery)
Dates: January 29 to February 18, 2025
Details: Lanterns by artists: Ilya Viryachev, Angel Kao, Ris Wong, Lisa LaRose, Priscilla Yu, Lanna Souvanny, Mayo Landicho, Janice Liu, Neana, Ceiiru. We are a Family series highlights the diverse communities that live in harmony within Vancouver.
Forever Young
Location: Granville Island
Dates: January 29 to February 17, 2025
Info: At Arts Umbrella (Snake Lantern Series I, Snake Lantern Series II, Snake Lantern Series III), each of the exhibits feature the work of over thirty students across four classes. At Studio 101 (Turtle Island) relearn some history, and find the quietness and inner peace in the legend of Turtle Island. There are also pieces at Stellamay Arts (Begin Anew); Rise (Do Not Disturb).
Pendulum Gallery
Location: Pendulum Gallery (885 W Georgia St, Vancouver)
Dates: January 27 to February 21, 2025
Details: Award-winning Taiwanese comic artist Ruan Guang-Min’s art captures the fluidity of people, history, and dreams. Explore this series of original and adapted works in an interactive and intimate exhibition.
Coastal Lunar Lanterns
Location: Bentall Centre
Dates: January 29 to February 18, 2025
Details: In a brand new location this year, lighting up Bentall Centre, this series explores the symbolism of the snake in Indigenous cultures. Snakes are often depicted as mediators in Indigenous cultures of the Northwest, beings that protect the balance. Featured artists include Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun, Caleb Dysart, Chase Gray.
Follow The Lantern City on Instagram and Facebook for more information.
