Art / News
Bristol best of 2015: Art
1. Art Weekender Bristol and Bath
Oct 30-Nov 1, various venues
Second instalment of this adventurous, all-involving three-day celebration of the visual arts across the two cities. Produced by Bristol’s award-winning art programmers Situations, the Weekender united over 30 arts venues, artist-led groups and arts producers across Bristol and Bath. Sanctum (above) may have grabbed the headlines, but the programme of exhibitions, one-off special events, artists’ talks, family activities and trails, public artworks and performances beguiled and fascinated throughout.
2. Neighbourhood Arts Programme
Across town, throughout 2015
As part of Bristol’s year as European Green Capital, a series of unique art projects took place across 14 Bristol neighbourhoods. Projects ranged from a flock of 1,000 ceramic starlings on the Downs to Easton’s fun, participatory street game raising awareness about antisocial fly-tipping.
3. Withdrawn
Leigh Woods, Apr 17-Sept 6
The latest brainchild of Bristol’s perennially thought-provoking artist Luke Jerram was this unexpected encounter with a flotilla of abandoned fishing boats, deep in Leigh Woods. An accompanying events programme included nightwalks, performances, interactive arts and concerts – and, splendidly, the boats all found new homes, from pubs to playgrounds, after the event.
4. Urbanimals
Have you found the Urbanimals yet? http://t.co/6oe3sEsuTX pic.twitter.com/cbFHcug3Ev
— Martin Booth (@B247Martin) September 16, 2015
Around town, Sept 15-Nov 19
The winner of the Watershed’s annual Playable City Award, Urbanimals saw startling and colourful creatures appearing in unexpected places across town, waiting for you to play with them. Lurking behind city walls and hiding in dark corners, Urbanimals – the brainchild of Poland’s Laboratory for Architectural Experiments – were interactive creatures that came to life only when you played with them. Hiding in dark corners and dreary pathways, they invited us to see the city anew.
5. Richard Long: Time and Space
Arnolfini, July 31-Nov 15
The world-renowned, Bristol-based land and conceptual artist graced Arnolfini for his first hometown exhibition in 15 years. Programmed as part of Bristol’s 2015 European Green Capital celebrations, the absorbing show explored how Long’s work and modus operandi have developed over his lengthy career – and how that work is inextricably linked to, and created from, the landscape.