Adirondack chairs have been iconic symbols of outdoor life and health since they were introduced in the early 20th century, and the giant versions of the chairs have become destinations for tourists worldwide.

Now Chinatown’s Sien Lok Park joins the fun, with the Chinatown BIA unveiling a pair of custom-painted and designed Adirondack chairs that are permanently available for use as of Aug. 12.

The ceremony to unveil the brand new chairs included the Jin Wo lion dancers, fitting given the themes of both chairs from artists Yiyo Partida, and Jamie Mason and Kevin Chow (aka Rawry and Pohly), lean deep into Chinese culture.

But leaning deep and taking a few Instagram photos is exactly the goal of the new installation, said Judy-Eng Hum, executive director for the Chinatown BIA.

“The idea actually germinated last year when I saw the giant chairs in various areas, and I thought it would be great to have giant chairs here in Sein Lok Park in Chinatown, because it would draw people to down to the area and also activate the space here,” she said.

“When people see the Center Street Bridge and in Chinatown, it’ll encourage them to come down to the area.”

She said that the chairs would become a regular part of the cultural and community activations that occur in Chinatown, including the upcoming Chinatown Street Festival happening on Aug. 16.

“We hope to do something innovative every year. Last year was the mural, this year the chairs, and maybe next year something exciting. We don’t know yet,” Hum said.

A place to visit and reflect on cultural diversity in Calgary

Rawry and Pohly’s chair was built on the imagery that the artist duo used on their Calgary Transit Art Bus, reflecting a very Calgary take on traditional Chinese porcelain dishware.

Their chair had a stylized lion on the front, along with lanterns and lucky lettuce, along with other Calgary-specific Easter eggs like magpies and the duo’s mascot teddy bear on the back.

“We wanted to have a little bit of a heart so people can just do a full walk around and see something,” said Chow.

Mason said the gold paint on the chair was to hopefully also give some luck as it rubs off from use.

“Gold has a little less bit of a longevity than other colours. So as it wears out with the sun, as it naturally would, it’s that luck going with every person that’s touched the chair,” Mason said.

She said there was hope that, as winter falls and the snow piles up in the park, the gold paint and vibrant blue details would act as a beacon for Calgarians to come and see their artwork.

Partida said that he made a last-minute choice to change an aspect of his chair due to the eventual snowfall.

“I wanted to make something with animals, because I love animals. I was looking at what is the most representative animals in the Chinese culture; obviously, the panda is the first one. But I was thinking, what’s going to happen in winter here, when everything’s going be white?” Partida said.

He said he selected the red panda for its vibrant coat, alongside the green painted bamboo shoots, as a way to make his chair stand out.

“Another reason I made these [red] pandas was because when I went to the zoo, I really loved to see the pandas, because they are a funny animal. I feel like they inspire a relaxing time,” Partida said.

Partida hoped his chair would inspire Calgarians to seek out and learn more about different cultures and cultural institutions.