Swimsuit-clad performers turn Vancouver sidewalk into beach

A playful piece of performance artintended to draw attention to climate changeappeared Sunday in downtown Vancouver.

EntitledWaiting for the Beach#rising#sealevels,the piece involvedswimsuit-clad people lounging on the sidewalk as though they were on a beach.

Tianna Barton, the creator of the piece, has moved her art project around Metro Vancouver, placing it atlocations where she says the sea level may rise in the future.

Sunday's performance the fourth and final in the series was set up at Denmanand West Georgia streets.Performers sipped champagne, barbecued food and werewatched over by a mock life guard.

BenjaminChristensen, a spokesperson for the art piece, said it is not meant as a protest, but rather as thought-provoking endeavour. Standing at the corner of the two streets, Christensen said the location is where the future coastline will be.

"It's trying to poke fun at how we're all aware of climate change issues, but at the same time we feel helpless," said Christensen. "Rather than worry about climate change, we go to the beach, buy some stuff, and try not to worry about the bigger issues.

"We hope it makes people stop and think."

With files from Timoth Matte-Bergeron