By Joan Jung
It can be found on hundreds of Vancouver streets, across all neighbourhoods. There is one in front of Hillcrest Community Center and also on 29th just west of Cambie.
You’ll have to look down to notice it. In 2004 the city invited artists to submit designs for manhole covers in a competition called Art Underfoot to beautify the cast iron storm and drain covers which last over 100 years. From 640 entries Susan Point and Kelly Cannell’s design “Memory” was chosen. Their design depicts the metamorphosis of a frog- with eggs in the center, spinning out into tadpoles then turning into frogs and this “burst of complete life” uses the entire surface of the manhole cover to show that all life stems from water. Amphibians like frogs are monitored closely as an “indicator species” of ecosystem health and their image serves as a call for environmental stewardship in the city. Susan shared her perspective on this piece saying “I feel that it is important to re-establish our Salish footprint upon our lands, to create a visual expression of the link between the past and present that is both accessible and
people-friendly…My hope is that my art leaves a lasting impression on visitors, locals, and the surrounding communities.”
Here are some spiritual themes that I‘ve been exploring in connection with this piece.
SACRED GROUND. Exodus 3:5 records the God speaking to Moses, “Do not come any closer, take off your sandals, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” I love this imagery of Moses bush in flames that did not burn up, curiously approaches and hears God’s voice calling him by name. God reminds him of his heritage, and who he is. And Moses beholds God with reverence, hiding his face. The ground where God appeared was sacred ground.
As I walk or cycle or drive over our ordinary asphalt of our city streets, there is Susan and Kelly’s creative work Memory embedded in a very ordinary medium. I am surprised when I catch a glimpse of it, and smile. If we really viewed the natural world around us as sacred – as being touched by God, created by God, would we walk around with our eyes opened in awe and wonder at his work?
RENEWAL. The artists explain their work, at the very core is this idea of renewal. The metamorphosis of the frog- it’s about renewal or transformation. It’s like when we think of renewal in nature, and renewal in the changing seasons. It’s also a wonderful reminder of the renewal that is part of our faith journey. We understand renewal in the Sabbath- setting aside time weekly to rest, recover and remember who God is and who we are in light of that. It’s an act of remembering who God is and learning to weave this practice into the pattern of life.
LIVING WATER. I will remember that God is the source of life in my everyday ordinary moments. Jesus declared Himself to be the source of living water (John 4:14, 7,38). I receive those “bursts of complete life” by acknowledging his gifts. The water He offers is for healing
and wholeness, it is offered to me in my present day and it stirs my longing for the future
new things he has promised.
I invite you this week as you walk our city, to pay attention, to look down and see if
you find the Memory covers in the pavement and consider the sacred ground and life giving promises of renewal from our Creator.