Lumen Espace Gallerie 88

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

Lumen Espace Galerie 88 W. Pender, (2nd Floor) International Village Mall Vancouver, B.C.

Emmanuel St. Juste just completed a fantastically imaginative Pop-Up Vintage experiment in an always evolving, enchanting Art/Sculpture and Photography gallery! He received great support for this Pop-Up Show from his friend, Maria Cruz! They combined both of their extensive clothing and accessories collections. In this versatile, loft like space, you will find everything to do with art and design. It is truly a home and place of nurture for artists and a thoughtful, well curated celebration of their work.

Emmanuel, creative director, producer, writer, curator, fashion specialist, teacher (Blanche Macdonald) bon vivant, mentor …partners the gallery with Kris Grunert, a very successful Canadian photographer. If you visit the gallery, you become part of it not only by participating in the experience but also by connecting others with the treasures to be found here.

Lumen has been open for eight years, and we visit every time we come to this mall for the movies and for the surprises in every window display. The name, Lumen, means exploration of light, and that is what entices you to stop and look on the way to the theatre.

An i Phone exhibit by Jeff Weddell was amazing. The landscapes and detailed photographs could be in any European gallery and have look hand drawn or painted rather than images from a cell or smart phone.

Emmanuel reads widely and favors European magazines. The richness and complexity found in these ‘books’ is reflected in the design of the space as well as the placement and ‘layering’ of the exhibits. I love the mix of neon, sculpture, furniture, accessories and mannequins. If you try anything on, you become a new exhibit, reflected in the mirrors and windows.

This is a great space for building community! I would like to see some Fashion Shows here, that feature up and coming new Vancouver designers. Would love to see a ‘Wearable Arts’ performance, featuring moving sculptures and photographs. Action, light, surprise, cultures, styles, designs, life …as all galleries should reflect.