For several years, the sculpture Trans Am Rapture was considered one of the most popular pieces of public art in Vancouver. Now it’s one of the most controversial.

The 10-metre-high sculpture by artists Marcus Bowcott and Helene Aspinall shows five cars stacked on top of a giant trunk of a cedar tree.

It’s been described as iconic and whimsical, an environmental statement that is both thought-provoking and fun.

But neighbourhood resident Darlene Forst was not happy when the city announced it was going to install it in a nondescript grassy area beside the southwest corner of the Granville Bridge.

She feared it would impact the view from her condo at West 6th and Granville, and launched a petition to stop it. It gathered 257 signatures. On Wednesday, the city cancelled the installation.

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