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THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Central Vancouver in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)
 

Wind Wheel Mobile

 
 
Wind Wheel Mobile Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 10, 2023
1. Wind Wheel Mobile Marker
Inscription.
Asbestos causes 40 percent of work-related deaths in North America.

The installation recalls the ominous history of asbestos from when it was heralded as a "magic mineral" to recognition of its devastating impact on human health.

While banned in Canada in 2018, asbestos-related diseases can take up to 30 years to emerge. There is no cure.

This memorial is a project of the BC Labour Heritage Centre and is included as part of the Vancouver Convention Centre's Art Program sharing the history of labour in British Columbia. We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia, WorksSafeBC, BC Pavilion Cooperation and many donors.

Artist concept

Wind Wheel Mobile is a kinetic weathervane with many wheels moving in harmony and driven only by the breeze. As a symbol for life, death and renewal, this mobile is a potent metaphor.

Structural elements of this sculpture have a visual relationship to the lungs and bronchial airway of the human body. Airborne asbestos fibres bear a close resemblance to rotating spokes on the wheels.

As the wind changes direction, so does the position of the mobile...this multi-directional natural speaks to the variety of societal initiative employed to raise public awareness of asbestos dangers.

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Doug R Taylor - Artist

Doug fell in love with handmade backyard weathervanes at an early age. This fueled his passion for building whimsical mobiles that reflect the storyline of a site.

The use of wind as energy to articulate sculpture reconnects us with the deeper invisible elements at play on earth, helping us to stand in awe.

Awards:

2009 Art in America Bird Song Listening Station (Seattle Center) was selected in 19 top international public art works.

Doug lives and works in Vancouver, BC.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, MusicIndustry & CommerceScience & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 2018.
 
Location. 49° 17.422′ N, 123° 7.063′ W. Marker is in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Metro Vancouver. It is in Central Vancouver. It is on Canada Place. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 76-1055 Canada Place, Vancouver BC, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and in Coast & Mountains. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Unstable Politics (a few steps from this marker); The Olympic Cauldron (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Jack Poole Plaza (about 120 meters away); Komagata Maru (about 150 meters away); Marine Building (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Canada Pavillion
Wind Wheel Mobile Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 10, 2023
2. Wind Wheel Mobile Marker
Marker is located to the left of the sculpture (in the center-right of image).
(approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Canada Place (approx. half a kilometer away); Ceperley Rounsefell Building (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vancouver.
 
Wind Wheel Mobile image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 10, 2023
3. Wind Wheel Mobile
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 617 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on November 16, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
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Jun. 6, 2026