Purposeful History: Stan Douglas

Vancouver photographer and filmaker Stan Douglas has an exacting view of history. In previous works, he has articulated his interest in what he calls “re-purposing history,” a process through which he subjects events to a “what if” scenario. He imagines what would have happened had historical events turned in a different direction.

Douglas’s photograph re-imagines a scene from the 1971 Gastown Riot during which the police, some on horseback, others in riot gear, clashed with demonstrators who favored the legalization of marijuana and who were also protesting the presence of narcs in their midst…

Buy Issue 108 to read the complete review!