The latest viral World Cup pop-up is drawing crowds away from BC Place in Vancouver.
The A-Maze-Ing Laughter sculpture — an icon of the West End — is now adorned with the jerseys of all the nations playing games here in Vancouver.
Australia, Belgium, Switzerland, New Zealand, Egypt, Qatar, and of course, Canada, are all represented.
The installation has been an instant hit, so much so that some of it walked away within a day of going up.
A Swiss scarf, some soccer balls, and the Canadian jersey have all been replaced after being stolen.
The West End BIA commissioned the art, and its director, Teri Smith, says the thefts happened almost immediately.
But this wasn’t unexpected, Smith says, as similar scenarios played out when the sculptures got wrapped up in the Canucks’ 2024 playoff run and the Taylor Swift stadium series.
So the BIA had some back-up supplies prepared ahead of time.
Smith says it’s all part of making the neighbourhood a World Cup destination.
“We are a little outside of the stadium zone, so we definitely need to give people reasons to make their way down here.”
Madeleine Chaffee is the local textile artist who created the project. She says the response has been fantastic, which is especially rewarding, given some of the unique challenges it posed.
“I was working with a sewing pattern based for humans, and these guys have… abnormal, they don’t have normal human proportions. For example, they have incredibly broad shoulders and very big necks.”
With World Cup festivities in full swing, those behind the installation are hoping that from now on, the only things fans take home are some great photos.
Editor’s Note: The Canada jersey has since been stolen again, and subsequently recovered by the West End BIA.