Art / News
Celebration of Centre as ‘campus of creativity’
An overcast sky greeted those gathered to celebrate the “revitalisation” of the Centre.
A central part of the celebration on Wednesday afternoon was focussed around a 700sq m artwork which was officially unveiled in September but required repainting less than a month later.
“What was once a stretch of fountains and decking is now a bold, colourful and welcoming public space,” lord mayor Henry Michallat said, referring to the changes made in the area, including the Our Common Ground artwork by artist Oshii.
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Michallat added: “This project began in January with the practical work of levelling the area.
“What emerged was far more than a flat surface. It’s a campus for creativity and vibrant colour.”
The event was also attended by representatives from the Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and the Bristol Legacy Foundation – the two organisations that partnered with Bristol City Council on the project.
Performances from acoustic duo ARTUBA and musician Modou Ndiaye replaced the rainy day gloom with laughter and applause.
Artist Oshii, lord mayor Henry Michallat, Bristol Legacy Foundation’s Asher Craig Ruth Pitter, and Bristol City Centre BID’s Anna Farthing were some of those who attended the event on Wednesday afternoon
Oshii spoke about his art and the Adinkra symbols from Ghana featuring in Our Common Ground.
Interactive activities encouraged people to find their way from top to bottom of the artwork by “stepping, jumping or hopping” on only one colour.
Speaking to those gathered on Wednesday, Oshii said: “I’ve learned so much from creating this artwork. I’ve learnt just as much as I hope people will get from the work itself.
“A lot of us as artists can be critical of the work that we create. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves about the work that we create. But for this piece, I feel really, really proud.”
ARTUBA are an acoustic musical duo blending “flavours of the Caribbean and the UK to make an irresistible sound”
Other than the new artwork on the Centre, the project included the planting of five trees, an initially botched resurfacing of the area and a more visible cycle lane.
New planters coming soon will also have the Adinkra symbols which Oshii often uses in his artwork.
“They are traditionally from Ghana in West Africa,” Oshii said when speaking to Bristol24/7.
“They represent different meanings, wisdoms and aphorisms.
“They’re used in ceremonial clothing and in other things like pottery. They are kind of symbols of importance and a way to communicate a cultural story.”
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In response to our questions via email about the noticeable deterioration of Our Common Ground after only a month of being in situ on the Centre, chair of the economy & skills committee, Andrew Brown, said that the artwork was created using road line marking paint on the new tarmac surface, “which is a durable material to use in a high footfall area”.
Brown said: “As this is an outdoor installation in a busy city centre space, some wear and tear is to be expected and will be managed as part of our ongoing maintenance plan.
“On Monday, we retouched the small areas of damage, with the work covered by the original project funding.”
As part of a proposed maintenance plan, the area will be regularly cleaned and a yearly assessment of the artwork will take place to see if further repainting is needed, Brown added.
Additionally, 18 planters will hopefully act as protective measures to prevent unauthorised vehicles from accessing the area of the Centre which hosts the artwork.
All photos: Rob Browne
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