[BCMA] MOA installs reflecting pool - realizes Erickson's dream

Tue Sep 14 13:53:50 PDT 2010

University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology Media Release

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MOA installs reflecting pool - after 34 years, Arthur Erickson's dream for
the Museum becomes reality

We are thrilled to announce that the Yosef Wosk Reflecting Pool has now been
created at the Museum of Anthropology.

MOA's architect, the late Arthur C. Erickson, and landscape architect,
Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, originally intended the pool to be opened as part
of the new Museum of Anthropology in 1976. Now, nearly thirty-five years
later, their original vision for MOA has been fulfilled. Thanks to the
generosity of Yosef Wosk, OBC, and the efforts of many other individuals and
organizations, the pool was successfully filled last Thursday, September 9,
and is now an integral part of the Museum grounds - as it was always
intended to be. According to Cornelia, even the shape and depth of the pool
are the same as she specified on her original 1975 drawings for the site,
although slightly curtailed at the northeast and southwest ends to honour
commitments made during approval of the 2004 North Campus Plan by the GVRD.

Both Arthur Erickson and Cornelia Oberlander have received honours for their
work on the Museum of Anthropology, and were awarded the Order of Canada for
their iconic contributions to national and international architecture and
landscape design. Their vision for MOA was inspired by traditional 19th
century northern Northwest Coast First Nations big houses and their settings
up and down the coast of British Columbia.

The pool is intended to be seen from the Museum's Great Hall as the
representation of a coastal inlet beyond which lie the mountains and sea.
The shell beach, numerous free-standing totem poles, and two Haida Houses on
the site enhance and extend the visitor's view through MOA's 15-metre
north-facing glass walls, dissolving the barriers between outside and
inside, and creating a powerful, unique connection between the building, the
collections, the visitor, and the landscape.

According to Yosef Wosk, "Arthur and Cornelia's creativity resulted in an
icon of transformation, a venue for respectful learning, and a place of
inspired contemplation. I am thrilled to have been able to play a part in
the completion of their original vision for the Museum, and encourage
everyone to come and share in its beauty."

Says Museum Director Dr. Anthony A. Shelton, "The instatement of the
reflecting pool would not have been possible without the generous financial
support of Dr. Yosef Wosk, OBC. We are very grateful for his commitment to
the Museum as both a donor and advisor."

We invite you to come and see this extraordinary addition to the Museum. And
please join us on Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19 from 10 am
to 5 pm, for MOA's first annual World Art Market - WAM! Bring your family
and friends for this two-day festival of world art, music, performance, and
cuisine! For details, visit www.moa.ubc.ca/world-art-market. See you there!

The fine print...

Pools have been installed temporarily only three times in MOA's history: for
a movie shoot in 1993 ("Intersection"), for the APEC leaders' summit in
1997, and to celebrate Arthur Erickson's 80th birthday in June 2004. The
permanent installation was carried out this summer in accordance with the
Conclusions and Recommendations (section 10.0) of the July 2004
"Comprehensive Hydrogeological and Cliff Erosion Assessment of Point Grey." 

Under the direction of UBC Campus Planning and Development, the northeast
and southwest ends of the pool-bed were modified to ensure that the finished
pool and adjacent berms are 8 meters south of the 30 degree set back line
from the base of the cliff. The pool depth will average 150 mm and will be
monitored daily. It will be emptied occasionally for maintenance and review
of the clay lining integrity. 

The pool has been engineered with two separate overflow systems to provide a
fail-safe drainage path. A third catch-basis within the setback zone has
been installed should the two overflow systems become clogged or covered.
There is also an irrigation system embedded in the pea gravel to allow for
the pool to be topped up when water has evaporated and to provide aeration
and agitation to mitigate the breeding opportunities for nuisance insects.
Annual monitoring of mosquitoes at UBC will continue to search for the
insect vectors carrying the West Nile virus. A secondary plan has been
outlined for fostering natural predators that feed on insects that may carry
West Nile virus at UBC.

Questions regarding the installation of the pool may be directed to David
Grigg, Associate Director, Infrastructure & Services Planning, Campus and
Community Planning, UBC: 604.822.0472 or david.grigg at ubc.ca

MOA

Find us on Facebook - search "Museum of Anthropology" 
Track us on Twitter - search "MOA_UBC
MOA Blog - www.moa.ubc.ca/blog
MOA Collection Online - www.moa.ubc.ca/collection-online

Contact
Jennifer Webb, Communications Manager
604.822.5950 or jenwebb at interchange.ubc.ca
UBC Museum of Anthropology
6393 N.W. Marine Drive, Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z2 www.moa.ubc.ca 

Museum and Shop Hours
Through October 11, MOA is open daily 10 am to 5 pm; open Tuesdays 10 am to
9 pm. As of October 12, MOA is closed Mondays, open Tuesdays 10 am to 9 pm,
and Wednesdays through Sundays 10 am to 5 pm.

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