CUBWAVE Journal
Two Consulates, One Cultural Journey: The Story of a Fridge Magnet
CUBWAVE's original Canadian city magnets connect a cultural exchange in Vancouver with a purchase by the Canadian Consulate in Shanghai ahead of CIIE.
A fridge magnet inspired by nine Canadian cities has been purchased by the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai as a culturally inspired souvenir, with plans for its use at the Canada Pavilion during the China International Import Expo (CIIE), which opens on November 5, 2026.
In Vancouver, the design also received warm praise from the Consul General at a cultural exchange event hosted by the Chinese Consulate-General, where we had the opportunity to take a photograph together.
From Shanghai to Vancouver, from memories of cities to cultural exchange, a small fridge magnet seems to be travelling further than we first imagined.
On October 30, CUBWAVE's co-founder was invited to attend the Chinese Consulate-General in Vancouver's open house and Sichuan–BC cultural and tourism exchange event as a representative of BC's tourism industry. We shared with the Consul General how we use original design to capture the spirit of a city.
The two pieces we brought to the consulate reflected our observations of, and connection to, this place. Both also received encouraging recognition from Fu Fengshan, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Vancouver.
Maple-Flow Steam Clock: a moment of Vancouver, held in your hand
We brought the outline of a Vancouver landmark, Canadian maple leaves and flowing sand together in one piece. The architecture takes on shifting light and movement; a memory becomes something you can touch. A moment spent pausing on a distant city street can remain vivid long after the journey home.
Canada Nine Cities Magnet: a small piece with a wide view
Nine cities, nine distinct personalities. We distilled their cultural landmarks into a compact design. This rotating, flowing-sand magnet, independently designed and developed by CUBWAVE, has been purchased by the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai and is planned for use at the Canada Pavilion at the upcoming CIIE in Shanghai.
From Shanghai on the Huangpu River to Vancouver on the eastern shore of the Pacific, we are honoured to see CUBWAVE's work become a small, warm-hearted token of cultural connection.
Across cultures, broad exchanges often need a tangible point of connection. A thoughtfully made object can help people from different backgrounds feel less like strangers. The outline of a familiar building can awaken a shared memory; a carefully chosen symbol can spark curiosity about a faraway place.
Good culturally inspired design does more than reproduce a view. It distils the culture behind it.
Before we begin drawing, we take time to understand a city: its history and streets, the character of everyday life, and why people stop, stay and grow attached to it. Then, through design, we turn that understanding into a story people can take with them.
Rooted in Vancouver, looking towards the wider world.
CUBWAVE has always believed in the power of original design. We hope each piece can become a city's warm introduction to the world.
May every thoughtful gift that crosses an ocean bring faraway places a little closer.