Expo 86: An Unofficial History
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Expo 86, Vancouver’s first and only World Fair. To commemorate the occasion, the Pendulum Gallery in Downtown Vancouver has launched, Expo86 An Unofficial History, a photo exhibit to share people’s personal memories of the Fair.
“Pendulum Gallery received over 200 image submissions from the public call for photographs. The resulting 50+ images on exhibit reveal a kitschy, quirky and charming array of events that happened at the fair. Pendulum Gallery invites visitors to wade their way through short shorts, knee high socks, pastel colours, and a whole lot of hairspray.
Photo by photo, stories will emerge, impromptu performances, magical ticket fairies, unrequited love, special holidays and unforgettable road trips. Enjoy the memories, surely most visitors will have their own as well, as Expo86 had over 22 million visitors.”
I was fortunate that the gallery approached me about my photo and blog post from a few years back and asked for it to be included in the exhibit.
Here is the photo and accompanying description:
If you were a kid in the 80s growing up in Vancouver (like me), Expo ‘86 is probably one of your first memories. All of your family from Ontario or rural BC or wherever came out to stay with you, you went to the fair grounds regularly and got your passport stamped at all the pavilions. You rode the Skytrain, hugged Expo Ernie, and watched the Rainbow Wars (which is sadly, no longer available on the web for some reason).
As I grew up, I watched Vancouver grow up too. The city became more international, more sophisticated and more cosmopolitan after Expo '86. I feel fortunate to be part of what is now considered its coming out party.
Sadly, I never kept my souvenirs, but a few years ago I was on a trip with my husband to Prince Edward Island and was lucky to find this Expo Ernie coin jar at an antique shop in an old, converted church.
The photo exhibit is called takes place from August 15 – September 17, 2016.
During the exhibition reception on September 8th (6-9pm), the Vancouver Public Library will be on site to capture audio memories of Expo86 from exhibition visitors. The recorded memories are intended to also be added to the VPL’s This Vancouver online project. (http://thisvancouver.vpl.ca/) The project is a collective archive of memories, audio and images from participating Vancouverites.