Monument for East Vancouver
An iconic, illuminated cross symbolizing East Vancouver's resilience, hope, and community spirit.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
See the iconic lights glow
Monument for East Vancouver
Best Time
See the iconic lights glow
Highlights
Must-see attractions
An iconic, illuminated cross symbolizing East Vancouver's resilience, hope, and community spirit.
"This is a total East Vancouver established art scrawl and deserves the monument!"
📸 Nighttime Views are Key
The monument truly shines after dark when it's illuminated. Don't miss this magical sight!
🚗 Easy Access Nearby
Park near the adjacent car dealership for convenient access to the monument.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Illuminated Cross
Clark Drive and East 6th Avenue
A towering, illuminated cross that glows after dark, symbolizing East Vancouver's enduring spirit and community.
Daytime Perspective
Clark Drive and East 6th Avenue
During the day, the monument stands as a stark, artistic representation of East Vancouver's complex social landscape.
Community Roots
East Vancouver
Explore the neighborhood that inspired this iconic symbol, understanding its deep connection to local culture and history.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Understanding the Symbolism
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📸 Nighttime Views are Key
The monument truly shines after dark when it's illuminated. Don't miss this magical sight!
🚗 Easy Access Nearby
Park near the adjacent car dealership for convenient access to the monument.
💡 Understand the Meaning
Research the symbol's history; it represents hope and defiance for East Vancouver residents.
🚶♂️ Explore the Area
Wander through East Vancouver to grasp the community spirit that inspired this landmark.
Tips
from all over the internet
📸 Nighttime Views are Key
The monument truly shines after dark when it's illuminated. Don't miss this magical sight!
🚗 Easy Access Nearby
Park near the adjacent car dealership for convenient access to the monument.
💡 Understand the Meaning
Research the symbol's history; it represents hope and defiance for East Vancouver residents.
🚶♂️ Explore the Area
Wander through East Vancouver to grasp the community spirit that inspired this landmark.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the Monument for East Vancouver to be a powerful and meaningful landmark, especially when illuminated at night. While some appreciate its artistic merit and symbolic representation of East Vancouver's spirit, others note its stark daytime appearance and the social issues it represents. Its accessibility and connection to local identity are frequently praised.
"How can you live in East Vancouver and not remember this on books, clothes, graffiti or carved on school desks. This is a total East Vancouver established art scrawl and deserves the monument! East Van for life!"
A.J. Canadian
"You could call Local artist Ken Lum's East Side Cross a landmark or even a nightly beacon. During the day however you could say it resembles a Totem for the residents of the East Side that deal with the growing crisis of homelessness, substance abuse,prostitution, inflated rents and lack of housing in their neighborhoods. There is a hard contrast of East and West sides of Vancouver.
Unveiled in 2010."
Patrick S Callan
"Actually didn't think much about this art piece till I found out how it represented the Vancouvers struggling people... The East side where you see the poverty and people living in tents contrasting the rich upper class in Metro Van. One of Vancouver's hidden truths from tourists. This was Canada's one of the poorest postal codes. Knowing the meaning behind it... Really made this piece much more valuable.
You can park beside car dealership and walk to the sign."
Sads A
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Monument for East Vancouver is located at Clark Drive and East 6th Avenue. Many visitors find it convenient to park near the adjacent car dealership and walk over. Public transit options are also available, with bus routes serving the surrounding area.
Yes, there is parking available near the monument, often cited as being beside a car dealership. This makes accessing the monument relatively straightforward.
Some visitors have noted seeing the East Van Cross from the Expo Line heading east on the SkyTrain, suggesting it's visible from public transit routes.
The monument is located in an urban area, and cycling is a popular way to get around Vancouver. Bike lanes are available in the vicinity, making it accessible for cyclists.
The most straightforward approach is often by car, utilizing the parking near the car dealership. For those using public transport, plan your route to the nearest bus stop or SkyTrain station and walk the remaining distance.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, the Monument for East Vancouver is a public art installation and can be viewed at any time without a ticket. It's an outdoor landmark accessible to everyone.
As an outdoor monument, it is accessible 24/7. However, its most striking feature, the illumination, is visible after dark.
There is no admission fee to visit the Monument for East Vancouver. It is a free public art piece for all to enjoy.
The Monument for East Vancouver, created by artist Ken Lum, was unveiled in 2010.
Absolutely! Photography is encouraged. Many visitors enjoy capturing the monument both during the day and especially at night when it's lit up. 
📸 📸 Photography
The most dramatic photos are taken at night when the monument is illuminated. However, daytime shots can highlight its sculptural form and the urban context.
Experiment with long exposures and intentional camera movement (ICM) for unique night shots, as suggested by local photographers. Double exposure techniques can also create interesting artistic effects.
A tripod is highly recommended for night photography to achieve sharp images and experiment with long exposures. A camera with good low-light performance will also be beneficial.
The area around the monument offers various angles. Some suggest the bridge nearby provides a good perspective. Experimenting with different distances and heights can yield great results.
While you can use flash, it might detract from the monument's natural illumination. It's often more effective to rely on the monument's own lights and a tripod for night shots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting during daylight hours for a clearer view of the sculpture's form and its surroundings. You can talk about how art can tell stories about a place and its people. The nearby car dealership parking offers a convenient spot to park if you're arriving by car, making it easier for families on the go.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Don't shy away from experimenting with techniques like intentional camera movement (ICM) and double exposures to create unique and artistic interpretations of the monument.
+2 The daytime offers a different perspective, allowing you to focus on the sculpture's form and its integration into the urban landscape. The area around the monument provides various angles to explore, so take your time to find the perfect shot.🤔 Culture & History Buffs
+1 Research its origins and the artist Ken Lum's intentions to understand its deeper meaning. Consider this monument as a lens through which to view the socio-economic contrasts within Vancouver. Its presence highlights the challenges and triumphs of the East Vancouver community, offering a more nuanced understanding of the city beyond its tourist facade.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Symbolism of the East Van Cross
+1During the day, the monument can appear stark, reflecting the realities of poverty and struggle that contrast with Vancouver's more affluent areas. However, at night, it transforms into a beacon of hope, illuminated and standing tall. This duality is central to its meaning, acknowledging the hardships while celebrating the enduring strength and character of East Vancouver residents. It’s a visual representation of the area's history and its ongoing narrative.
Some discussions have even touched upon the potential for commercialization, such as merchandise sales, to help fund the monument's upkeep and preservation, highlighting its recognized cultural significance.
Artistic Techniques and Community Engagement
Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) is another technique that local artists have employed to create abstract and dynamic images of the cross, transforming it into a blur of light and form. Furthermore, double exposure photography has been used to layer the monument with other imagery, creating visually striking and thought-provoking compositions.
+1 These artistic interpretations showcase the monument not just as a static sculpture but as a dynamic element within the city's visual landscape. The fact that the 'S' in 'East' has been noted as burning out on occasion adds a touch of realism and imperfection, further grounding the art in its lived context. The monument's placement and its symbolic weight have also sparked community discussions, including debates about its relocation to be more visible. While some suggest moving it, others appreciate its current location along the Expo Line, offering a unique perspective.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit