SEE NO EVIL’S MAMMOTH STREET ART PROJECT RETURNS TO BRISTOL
This summer, Bristol will play host to the most diverse art project to take place in the UK, with live projections, art installations and some of the biggest names in street art descending on the city from 13- 19 August.
The week-long event is part of the London 2012 Festival, a summer-long arts festival throughout the country to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Curated artists will paint Nelson Street, to reinvent a selection of urban spaces, with some jaw-dropping images expected to be added to the Bristol street. The event will be accompanied by Hear No Evil, organised by Team Love and featuring a series of music events throughout the week and a free New York style Block Party on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 August on Nelson Street.
A visual spectacular will open the weekend’s music on Friday 17 August when 3D Projection experts AntiVJ creating a unique installation in the Passenger Shed in Temple Meads. This free ticketed performance will be arranged with music by musicians Adrian Utley from Portishead and Will Gregory from Goldfrapp.
The best of Bristol’s music culture will set the backdrop to live street painting and outdoor stages on Saturday, while buskers will be chosen to take up a number of pitches throughout the festival site and lead the street party on Sunday 19 August, while artists put the final touches to their creations.
30 of the world’s most prolific street artists will paint the streets, including abstract expressionist Remi Rough, Lyken, Nick Walker, alphabet painter Eine and Portuguese artist Vhils. The artists are being curated by Bristol bred graffiti legend Inkie, who inspired the event’s first outing last year.
Mike Bennett, organiser of See No Evil explains: “See No Evil is a unique event, designed to showcase the emerging and established talent in the world of urban art and music, to develop the innovative footprint in Bristol’s creative quarter. The pieces created over the week will create a legacy from the project and a destination for urban art fans from all over the world. There are going to be some massive names from the world of graffiti involved this year, we’re really excited to welcome them.”
Phil Gibby, Arts Council England’s Director for the South West added: “See No Evil will give people in Bristol a chance to experience the Cultural Olympiad by seeing streets brought to life with the best of urban art. The Anti VJ installation will transform the Passenger Shed at Temple Meads with projected images and sound. I look forward to being part of this fantastic celebration of culture in Bristol.”
See No Evil is organised with the support of the Arts Council, London 2012 Festival and Bristol City Council. Last year, Nelson Street was transformed with giant graffiti murals turning huge city centre buildings into an international tourist attraction.
