Almost every tourist who has been to historical Gastown, the oldest neighborhood in Vancouver, has taken a photo with the Steam Clock, established in 1977. However, for the first time in its 37-year history, the Steam Clock was temporarily removed for some much-needed repairs. Replacing this iconic landmark is “Make it Rain”, a 27-foot-tall cloud tower with mirrored surface that reflects its surrounding environment. It is designed by Jennifer Newsom Carruthers and Tom Carruthers, founders of the Vancouver design studio called “Dream the Combine”.
Described in their concept proposal, the tower aims to revitalize the corner of Water and Cambie Streets. “Audience reflections will appear slippery and warped while the inflated structure will gently sway due to inflections of its context. We are intrigued by using steam as a material – it is hot, amorphous, and can form a low-density mass. “Make It Rain” is a cloud chamber, inviting touch and inspiring delight.”
Approached by the Gastown Business Improvement Society in mid-October, Dream the Combine was invited to put together a public art proposal for the steam clock site. The couple utilized the crowdfunding site, Kickstarter, and were successful in funding $19,500 within eight short days. Just like our very own Jump for Joy Photo Project, Make it Rain is the third crowdfunded public art project. The first project was the six industrial silos on Granville Island which were transformed into colorful masterpieces by famous Brazilian graffiti artists, Os Gemeos, this summer. Crowdfunding has become the bridge to connect artists and communities. And it is not restricted to the locals; sometimes people even support it internationally.
“We called in every favour we could. A lot of the funding was from people who will never actually see the piece — friends that we have in New York, London, Germany and all over the world — helping to contribute to this thing and make it happen,” Newsom-Carruthers said [1].
The final step of installation, turning on the steam that would power the tower’s inner system of inflatable bladders was completed this Wednesday afternoon. So if you visit Gastown before January 12th, you will find the corner of Water and Cambie Streets shines in a different way. Dream the Combine also hopes to find a permanent place for “Make it Rain” after the restoration of Steam Clock on January 13th.
[1] Temporary Art Project Towers Over Former Gastown Steam Clock Site
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