Premier Graphics Bridges the Gap on Innovative Art Installation

Canadian graphics production and installation company Premier Graphics produces a series of stunning and colorful graphics for an innovative project at the Cambie Street Bridge in Vancouver, Canada.

The project brought to life a vision by artist Jessica Angel, who came up with the clever idea of mixing colorful graphics with augmented reality (AR) to “extend” the Cambie Street Bridge into a 19,000-square-foot public art installation for the Vancouver Biennale exhibition.

Installed in June 2021, Angel’s design featured a huge, two-dimensional vinyl mural that wrapped the pedestrian walkway, supporting columns, and underside of the bridge – turning what is usually a relatively dull structure into an eye-catching piece of art.

However, AR took this a step further, with passersby encouraged to download the Vancouver Biennale app for free and hold up their phones while walking through the walkway. Doing this opened up a whole new dimension, transforming parts of the installation.

Premier Graphics, based in Richmond, British Columbia, was selected to produce and install the graphics for the project. A long-term Drytac customer, the print business chose to work with the adhesive company’s materials throughout the project.

“The process consisted of the testing of many materials, and of course balancing a budget that was already stretched thin,” says Taylor Sellinger, partner and general manager of Premier Graphics. “We needed to fit the client’s budget with a material that was likely to last 18-24 months and meet the slip-resistance requirements for the safety of the public.”

On the art project itself, Sellinger states, “The virtual reality experience developed is amazing when paired with the graphics. It’s certainly the most impressive piece I’ve been involved with so far.”

Check out this short video of the graphics installation.