In(essence) Dam De Nogales Inc, Artists
In(essence) is a lasting reminder of the fragile beauty of nature, as the deer innocently lifts its head to the sky. With rich colours and elongated form, it creates a passageway symbolic of quiet living, of being one with the woods, of silent majestic encounters with wildlife, and of embracing a pause in time.
BOSA DEVELOPMENT Commissioned by Bosa Development in collaboration with the District of North Vancouver, 2020
North Vancouver, British Columbia is a vibrant city located on the North Shore of the Burrard Inlet, just across the water from Vancouver. Known for its stunning natural beauty, with lush forests, snow-capped mountains, and breathtaking views of the ocean, North Vancouver is home to several popular attractions, such as the Grouse Mountain Skyride, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. It is a go-to place for those who love to hike, bike and kayak. Its vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous galleries, theatres, and performing arts venues creates a sense of community.
North Vancouver’s planning department is committed to enhancing the living spaces of its citizens through public art. By partnering with local artists, the department has been able to create a variety of vibrant and unique public art installations throughout the city. These installations range from sculptures to murals, which generates a colourful and inviting atmosphere in the city.
This past week on a rare clear day in the midst of our weeks of rainfall, I joined my mother, Frances, and sister, Sarah, for coffee in the Lynn Valley neighbourhood of North Vancouver. That was when I first met the deer statue, In(essence), standing regally, with its head lifted up to the blue sky.
Towering above me at nearly six metres tall, I felt the serenity of nature enfold the space around me. I paused and breathed deeply. The words on the signage resonated: “It creates a passageway symbolic of quiet living, of being one with the woods, of silent majestic encounters with wildlife, and of embracing a pause in time.”
In (essence) is created in bronze with a mix of polished French-brown and turquoise hues. The artists, Veronica and Edwin Dam de Nogales’s designed In (essence) to be a lasting reminder of the fragile beauty of nature.
Public art is an important part of our culture and society. It serves to beautify our cities and towns, to foster a sense of community, to celebrate local history and to express ideas and values. Creative endeavours bring people together to build a sense of place and of belonging.
Lady Budd 
We visited your fair city in 2017, the year we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. It’s obvious the city planners value natural resources. We enjoyed much of the green space, but did not see the symbolic sculpture In(essence), its rendering a reminder of the fragile beauty of nature. I was happy that I had enough balance to cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge, thanks to Pilates strength training. 😀
Thanks for sharing all this, Rebecca!
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The Capilano Suspension Bridge is unforgettable isn’t it? Especially for those, like me, who are scared of heights. But it is worth being scared crossing that bridge. Crossing does require strength training. In(essence) was just installed in October 2023. That means you must come back to Vancouver. Wouldn’t it be fun to meet up and cross the bridge together.
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The height of the sculpture was quite a surprise, Rebecca, as I scrolled down the page! It must have been awe inspiring to stand beside it. And the occasion, meeting with your mother and sister, must also have been quite delightful, too.
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It was awe-inspiring, Carolyn. I wondered how they could have created the long legs in one piece. When I was taking my photos, I noticed that people walked by without noticing the sculpture. It was a reminder to me, that we must make time to appreciate creative endeavours. Sometimes we are in too much of a rush, but in reality, it is life that rushes by. Thank you for joining Frances, Sarah and me at Lynn Valley.
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So well said, Rebecca…
Yes, life can rush right by us if we fail to look!
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Marvellous. It’s good to know that in these straitened times, North Vancouver still seeks to privilege the arts. That tall deer really is quite something!
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Over the past few years, North Vancouver has experienced population growth – more housing is being developed. The Lower Mainland of BC has precious agricultural land in the valley, which must be preserved. Our land space is limited by the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. We cannot expand outwards so must expand upwards. City councils in the Lower Mainland have take care that the housing developments are in keeping with our green surroundings. There are strict parameters, one of which appears to be space dedicated to public arts. You will note that BOSA developments commissioned In(essence). There are other statues that I will be visiting in the coming year, when the rains stop. We have a rainfall warning tomorrow so I have my sturdiest of umbrellas to accompany me on my adventures.
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What an unusually enlightened council you have! Keep that umbrella up today … and keep walking!
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It is a Masterwork, mirroring the silent cry of Mother Nature. Amazing and fascinating! Thank you, dear Rebecca.
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Many thanks for joining me in Lynn Valley, North Vancouver. Your words “silent cry of Mother Nature” resonates with me, Alaedin. My hope is that we hear the cry and remember our commitment to safeguard nature.
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It’s a lot taller than I visualized when you said 6 meters. I don’t do metric. 😂 The image really brought the size and scale into perspective.
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Thank you, Deborah for stopping by – very much appreciated. One meter equals 3 feet 3.37 inches. This sculpture is 19 feet 8 inches. I marvel at how the artists can create these sculptures. I could almost walk under it! The overall impression for me was that nature would prevail.
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I should have remembered that about a meter being 3+feet. I use that measurement in photography a lot. 🤷♀️😂
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I still have trouble between miles and kilometers!! YIKES!
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That deer sculpture is truly impressive, Rebecca! Thanks for sharing it with us!
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Thank you, Dave for joining me in North Vancouver. North Vancouver is experiencing population growth. We have limited space to expand outward (the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other, so we are expanding upwards. North Vancouver planning has ensured the housing developments has strict building parameters, one of which appears to be space dedicated to public arts.
This year, one of my goals is to capture public art attached to buildings. For example, this sculpture was commissioned by BOSA Development in collaboration with the District of North Vancouver.
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Lovely! This is such a striking piece of artwork. You could not help but pause and look up at this creature with his gaze pointed toward the sky. That is a very telling sign…it creates a vision that the art does not end at that point. It goes on in our remembrance. I may never be there in person, but I will remember this…especially as it is pictured here, a marvelous creature, in the framework of a stunning blue sky.
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How very well said, Linda – “goes on in our remembrance.” I remember the emotional lift when I was on the 5th floor of the Musee d”Orsay viewed the paintings of Manet, Monet, Renoir etc. I started to cry because I realized that I had not given time in my life to the humanities. It was an “ah ha” moment for me.
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This is a beautiful stature, created by a couple of talented artist! !(Veronica and Edwin Dam) It stands tall and perfect as if it were alive. I visited and enjoyed coffee with Rebecca, Don, Thomas, Sarah and Mark at a lovely coffee shop not far from this very out standing work of art. The statue probably has a message for us human because of the look up into the sky. This outstanding work of art reminds us that Vancouver has other outstanding works of art. I am reminded of the other statue of our wild creatures on another corner in our fair city!
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Hi Rebecca, a most splendid and beautiful statue. You are very fortunate to be surrounded by so much gorgeous artwork.
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What a very beautiful statue, Rebecca. You must have felt quite small looking up at him. 🤗
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Thank you for joining me in Lynn Valley, Sylvia. I did feel very small beside those long legs. I saw the statue from across the street and marveled how easily In(essence) could evoke a feeling of nature within a busy environment. Sending hugs!!!
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Beautiful. Frail, majestic and lovely. Quite an achievement actually. xxxxxxx
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Don and I walked by In(essence) a couple of days ago. It stands out like a beacon reminding us of our responsibility to earth. I still can’t imagine how they were able to build those long legs.
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It’s an amazing piece.
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This is a most stately statue surpassed only by a deer itself.
Gorgeous. Thank you for bringing this to us, Rebecca!
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Thank you, Resa! I am thrilled by the amount of public art that is being featured in our cities, from mural art, to public art, to creative events, to music. Art vitalized cities!
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