Not all that glitters is gold — but a billboard going up near Granville Island is.
The 200-square-feet ad is completely wrapped in real 22-karat gold to promote Treasure, the latest summer exhibit at the Telus World of Science.
The gold billboard is meant to dramatize the scientific fact that two ounces of gold can be pounded thin enough to cover the 200-square-feet surface.
It was created by Vancouver’s Rethink Communications and made over a four-week period by Canada’s top gilder, Drian Dedora.
“The first time they asked me, I thought they were mad,” Dedora said in a release. “I’ve never done anything quite like this. I’ve spent the last three years of my life gilding the Ukrainian National Church in Toronto.”
Suan Teo, director of marketing for Science World, said there’s a timeless appeal to gold.
“It’s the kind of interactive, inspiring message we love sending out,” she said. “It’s a great example of how fun and exciting science can be.”
According to Rob Tarry, a creative director at Rethink, the final tab for the board will be close to $11,000 for the gold and time spent on it.
The billboard will stay up at West 4th Avenue at Anderson Street until Friday.
