Façade Festival 2017 is a projection-mapping and outdoor architectural intervention that transforms the Georgia Street façade of the Vancouver Art Gallery with the work of emerging and established contemporary artists from British Columbia. These monumental projections respond to the urban environment with vibrant creativity and provide viewers with a unique experience of visual art within the public realm.

Organized by the Burrard Arts Foundation, five members of the local arts community made up the selection committee (Kate Bellringer, Christian Chan, Rachel Lafo, Chris Shier and Stephanie Rebick), collectively determining the ten artists included in this year’s festival.

This year’s featured artists include the following ECU community members:

• Associate Professor Diyan Achjadi

• Fiona Ackerman (2002 alumna)

• Scott Billings (2007 alumnus)

• Annie Briard (2013 alumna + sessional instructor),

along with artists Shawn Hunt, James Nizam, Luke Ramsey, Evann Siebens, Ben Skinner and Paul Wong.

Two artists will present their newly-commissioned work nightly, culminating in an Encore and Grand Finale showcase of all artists’ work on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10, respectively. In addition, a special presentation by Go2 Productions will be featured during the Grand Finale evening on Sunday, September 10th.

A presentation of art, creativity and technical innovation, the Façade Festival 2017 explores the ubiquity of digital forms in modern life and contemplates the role that new technologies play in contemporary art while engaging the public in a grand intervention in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

A Façade Festival artist talk, Behind the Lights: the Making of Façade Festival, will be hosted by the Vancouver Art Gallery on Saturday, September 9 at 3pm. The talk, led by several of this year’s artists, will feature a series of short visual presentations, providing background on the ideas and processes behind their projections, as well as how these new works fit within the artists’ larger practices.

Façade Festival 2017 is organized by the Burrard Arts Foundation in partnership with the Vancouver Art Gallery, with technical support from Go2 Productions.