This Summer Bristol will play host to the most ambitious permanent street art project ever to take place in the UK. The world’s leading street artists from numerous countries will paint the facades of ten multi-storey Bristol buildings along Nelson Street as part of ‘See No Evil’. The event will result in Nelson Street becoming one of the world’s largest outdoor art exhibitions.
Bristol has long been known for its street art movement in the UK, being the home to a host of famous artists and now ‘See No Evil’. The biggest names in international street art will converge on the city and take up residency on Bristol’s Nelson Street, a city centre area in need of regeneration near Bristol’s main shopping district. Ten huge buildings will be painted over six days later this month, transforming this area into an inspiring masterpiece and a legacy for the city.
Organisers have already announced New York based muralists, Tats Cru whose aerosol based work is dubbed to have ‘changed the perception of graffiti as art’ and LA artist El Mac whose work is prolific across every continent. These graffiti legends will join artists from Holland, Spain, Brazil and the UK, each bringing their completely unique styles to Bristol.
The event is a collaboration between street artist Inkie, who emerged out of Bristol’s 80’s graffiti scene alongside Banksy and Bristol music promoters Team Love and is in association with Bristol City Council’s place making director, Mike Bennett.
Here’s a quick line-up of what you can expect to happen:
Block Party – 20th August 2011
This extraordinary project will culminate in a free New York style ‘Block Party’ on Saturday 20th August celebrating the best of Bristol’s art and music culture with live street painting and an outdoor stage. Some of the biggest names to have originated in the city will play street sets including DJ Nature (formally DJ Milo of Wild Bunch) and Greg Wilson. The live music will be joined by cartoon drawing, screen printing, tattooing, break dancing and street dressing with mini garden area stretching along the length of Nelson Street.
Hear No Evil – 18th to 20th August 2011
Westgate, a currently disused residential building designed by architect Giles Gilbert Scott who also designed the Battersea Power Station and iconic British red telephone box, will be opening its doors for the first time in two years to host three FREE and ticketed nights of the best of Bristol music and art. Between Thursday 18th and Saturday 20th August, major club promoters, film and music previews, pop-up barber shops, live workshops and cocktail bars will take over this unique space, creating a temporary interactive gallery and entertainment venue.
Thursday 18th August: Resident Advisor’s Real Scenes film screening and after party:
Resident Advisor has created three short films in association with the clothing brand Bench about the cities they consider to be the most exciting and important music cities in the world right now –Bristol, Detroit and Berlin. Bristol’s film will be screened, followed by a party with several of the artists from the film, including Futureboogie, Julio Bashmore and Peverelist.
Friday 19th August: Westgate hosts Crazylegs
Voted best club night in Bristol 2010, Crazylegs will be hosting See No Evil’s Friday night with a top line up of cutting edge artists including the soon to blow up Mosca and Melee.
Saturday 20th August: Westgate Block Party After Party
The after party will host a mixture of the great unsung heroes of Bristol’s nightlife scene, not just the big names but all the local residents who play around the city, week in week out, along with some of the best DJ’s that are part of the thriving musical community that is Bristol.
Recognised pop-up urban art gallery, Weapon of Choice will also be taking up residency in Nelson Street, creating the official See No Evil gallery. The exhibition will open on Thursday 18th August and run for three weeks showcasing original artwork, limited edition prints and clothing from a wide range of the artists taking part in the event, along with official ‘See No Evil’ merchandise.
Bristol is spearheading the UK’s urban art movement and the city’s Place Making Director, Mike Bennett is using Bristol’s unique and recognisable personality to strengthen it as an area for tourism, economic growth and culture.
For more information about the event, log on to the Visit Brisol website.
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