People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Rod Maclachlan
Rod Maclachlan is the associate artist for this year’s Bristol Proms taking place next week at Bristol Old Vic. His highlight will be the creation of lighting and visuals for the 1688 Opera Dido and Aeneas using only candles and fire.
An artist based at Spike Island, Rod cut his teeth at the Cube, Blackout Arts and Venn Festival before collaborating with composers Haushcka, Roly Porter and Murcof and exhibiting his work across the UK and Europe.
To find out more, visit www.rodmaclachlan.co.uk.
Here are Rod’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Severn Beach line
“The essential public transport service for me is this 140-year-old line. Stapleton Road to Clifton Down in eight minutes whilst enjoying an alternative view of the city. The neglected rolling stock has a British Rail Museum feel but I kind of enjoy the wonkiness.”
Hawks Gym
“A family favourite is this epic gymnastics club in Easton. On entering the jumping toddler room I acclimatise to the heavy scent of sweat and soak in the wonder of multicolour mats and light streaming in through massive windows. On the walls the fading posters of the world’s best doing impossible feats inspire me to do a star jump with the wee ones.”
The Cube
“Many years ago this place was key to my artistic experimentation and although I don’t get down there as much as I used to it remains a vital cultural catalyst in the city. It’s the perfect, intimate venue to enjoy a gig and now it’s all dazzly digital and sub-bassy for flicks too. Amazing that this treasure is now owned by the co-operative. Nice one!”
Owen Square Park
“Down the end of my road in Easton I venture with my daughter until we find the whole wide world. And swings. Whilst pushing I hear voices from all curved corners of the globe. The music, food and temperament of Bristol owe so much to the cross-pollinating of cultures and here you can see this in gestation.”
Food
“From street food to finer fare I have favourites in all corners of the city: chin-licking rolls from Katie and Kim’s Kitchen, Matina Kebabs in St Nicks Market, the crusts on Hart’s Bakery bread, mango sorbet from The Lido and Oli’s brownies from No. 12 Easton. The cracking staff at Riverstation are also spot on.”
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