Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) To Debut WET Exhibit

The Vancouver Art Gallery is getting WET. The directors of the gallery have revealed three possible plans for its redesign of the North Plaza.

One of the new name suggestions is called WET (yes it all capital letters) and that name has raised quite a few eyebrows.

While the drawing of the concept shows a group of children happily playing in the pouring ran, the name has drawn quick laughs and concern. That’s because the acronym for the museum is VAG and the proposed exhibit is called WET.

I personally don’t see the problem, it’s an art gallery and one function of art is to be provocative and draw in observer responses.

According to a document proposal provided by the city:

“Materially, [WET] is a large rectangle of special paving stones which would rest on hidden pedestals within a shallow void under the plaza. The paving stones would be carefully designed to have very slight variations in level – enough to create different patterns of water accumulation, while still maintaining a comfortable surface to walk on.”

The design team for VAG also says WET will involve “the inclusion of scattered misting spouts and small water jets within the paving field.”

I’m not sure if this is a crude joke or the work of architects who really want to transition into straight artwork.

Only time will tell if the Vancouver Art Gallery moves forward with WET or chooses another design that might be more family friendly.

Do you think naming the exhibit WET is a good choice for the museum?