STRUT - Vancouver Pride 2018

Strut is a large-scale kinetic Peacock sculpture, symbolizing LGBTQ2AI+ celebration with it’s colourful, exuberant display and we hope to be an apt symbol for the 40th Anniversary of Pride in Vancouver and other festivals throughout BC. The Piece:  Strut, the Peacock, will be a large scale (approximately 12 foot high at full plume) kinetic sculpture with interactive lighting. The idea behind the piece comes  from being “PROUD AS A PEACOCK.” Being able to “STRUT” your stuff within the community, this piece will inspire people to be themselves and to show off their tail feathers!


The piece is interactive to inspire inclusion and the tail feathers will be lit with rainbow colours to celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQ2AI+ community. The peacock body will be covered with light diffusing fabric and internally lit, allowing for a dynamic lighting display. The impact of the piece is beauty and expression, but also playful engagement as folks touch the proximity sensors on its guard rail to change the lighting.  This kinetic sculpture will move at times and the tail will slowly raise to show the full display of feathers.  The goal of the piece is to provide free, celebratory and playful opportunities for the community to interact with art, the Pride movement, and each other. Fun, interactive installations are alluring and universally appealing. Strut, the peacock, symbolizes LGBTQ2AI+ celebration with it’s colourful, exuberant display and is an apt symbol for the 40th Anniversary of Pride in Vancouver and Burn in The Forest in 2019. 

Did you know that many birds are bisexual?  As part of the LGBTQ2AI+ community, we wanted to bring awareness to Bi-erasure and bi-phobia.  The Peacock is often a symbol used within the community to represent Bisexuality (as they are rumoured to be bisexual).  Bi-phobia is a form of discrimination which distinctly affects bisexual people, and is fuelled by stereotypes and misconceptions of the sexuality. Bi-erasure happens when bisexual people are seen as gay or straight and the feelings that come with losing a sense of identity. Even within the Pride community, both are a very big problem. It often either goes unnoticed or is considered unimportant, so we wanted to bring awareness and education about this issue.

Where your Money goes:
As one of the lead artists, Karen Oldridge is depositing the money into her personal account to be spent on the materials and pay the required workers listed below for this project.  As this is a City of Vancouver grant, all expenses will be documented and a finalized budget will be made available to anyone who would like to see it. We know you know this (as everyone who has donated so far is a friend or family member, but for anyone who isn't and also for GOFUND ME who require this little piece of information to release our funds).

Expenses:
Lighting $5,500
Lighting Design $2,000
Programming $1,000
Metal $1,000
Actuator $1,000
Wood $500
Fabric $500
Fiberglass $200
Bearings $500
Sensor $500
Hardware $1,500
Maker labs $500
3DS $1,000
Engineering Fees $3,000
Extra Expenses $1,000
Vancouver Pride/ City of Vancouver Grant: -$11,000
GVIAS Recharge Grant: -$797.57
Still need to raise $9,400

What You Get in Return:
We have a bunch of great "Thank You" items with our logo, but you will also get the opportunity to support a wonderful art piece in the Vancouver Community!
*Please note: Additional shipping charges may be charged depending on where you live. 

Who We Are :
Shadow Puppet Productions is a group of artists, musicians, and event producers working in Vancouver's underground electronic music scene, and the surrounding festival culture. The artists of SPP have been making large scale art since 2011. In that time, they have accomplished a number of large pieces and have grown with each successive one. The team is hoping to top themselves and build something truly amazing for the Vancouver Pride Society.

Lead Artists

Karen Oldridge – Concept Artist, Promotion and Textile Lead When not working as an elementary teacher, Karen Oldridge (aka Karen Oh) is pursuing her passion in the arts. Karen works with fabric creating steampunk/Victorian style fashion and cosplay, illustration, sculpture and writing. She is proud to be a part of Pride and to have the opportunity to “Strut” her stuff as an emerging artist.  

Marti Boivin – Designer and Construction Lead Marti Boivin (aka Beatrix the White) has been pursuing a career as an artist since 2007. He is a multidisciplinary artist, working in illustration, tattooing, sculpture, fashion design, and installation art work. As an illustrator, he creates highly detailed works of a visionary/surrealist nature.

Together Marti and Karen have designed and created a number of large scale sculptures including the Stargate (2012), the Skull of Actaeon (2014), the Amanita Arcade (2016), and the Dub-ble BASS Telescope (2017) as a part of Shadow Puppet Productions. Their work draws on a variety of skills such as carpentry, metal work, textile, and lighting. They strive to make their art interactive, allowing participants a deeper experience and a lasting impression.

Artistic Partners


Dale Reid – Lighting Designer and Programmer Dale has been working for Three Dimensional Services for 9 years where he has accumulated experience designing/coordinating and installing lighting and AV systems into exhibitory. Typically ‘pushing the envelope for its clients’, 3DS has left its mark across many museums, science centres, experience centres and public art spaces across North America and often collaborates with tech groups, designers, sculptors and specialists in a variety of disciplines. Recent work includes the Pine Tree Way towers for the newly built skytrain stations for the city of Coquitlam, the Alaska Museum in Anchorage, Alaska and the Central Hearth, and a large interactive video cylinder completed for the newly built Tsawwassen Mills Mall in Tsawwassen, BC.

Zack Glanzberg – Design and Fabrication Expert Zack is a specialized contractor based out of Vancouver BC. Having a Red Seal in Joinery and accredited in Architectural Technical Design, Zack is well suited to play a role in fabrication and design with his background in woodworking, electronics, computers, CAD design and CNC programming. He operates Dov Woodwork and Design in Vancouver, BC and installs museum exhibits throughout the continent.

Other Work:

Dub-Ble Bass Telescope - 2017 The piece was built by a small crew consisting of: Beatrix the White - Lead Artist, Designer, and Builder and Karen Oh - Fundraising/Promo Lead Appearances at: Bass Coast Festival 2017

The Amanita Arcade, 2016 The piece was built by a small crew consisting of: Beatrix the White - Lead Artist, Designer, and Builder, Karen Oh - Textile Artist and Fundraising/Promo Lead
, and Joe Lunderville - Electronics Lead, and Programmer Appearances at: Shambala 2017, Bass Coast Festival 2016 & 2017, Burn in the Forest 2016 & 2017, Lumière 2016

The Skull of Actaeon, 2014  Beatrix the White - Lead Artist, Designer, and Builder and Karen Oh - Promo and Fundraising Lead, along with the help of many friends. Appearances at: Burn in the Forest 2014, Burning Man 2014 and Bass Coast Festival 2015

The Mayan Stargate, 2012 The Mayan Stargate was built for an arts and music festival called Entheos. It was built by a small crew, consisting of: Beatrix the White - Lead Artist, Builder, and Designer, Karen Oh - Promo and Fundraising Lead
 and Johan Thornton - Assistant Designer Appearances at: Entheos Gathering 2012, Burn in the Forest 2012, Afterglow 2012
, Inshala Gathering 2013, Afterglow 2013, and Summer Intention 2015