Project

Type of Meanwhile Space: Youth Support, Town Centre Identity and Cultural Engagement

Contact: Jess, jess@illuminatebristol.co.uk

The project

Description of project

A stunning transformation of disused shop fronts and businesses on North St,  Bedminster. Through projections ‘Spring Forward’ was a festive spectacle that bought together business, residential and artistic communities.

On the weekend that the clocks went forward ‘Spring Forward’ celebrated the transition from dark winter nights to the lighter ones ahead, transforming the windows of disused shop fronts and businesses into dynamic picture frames by using light and projected images and films from within.

Artist-made films, from animation to dance, were back-projected into the window of 28 North St and viewed from outside the old Gala Bingo hall opposite and therefore seen by the public outside the normal art gallery setting.  At No.26 North St an exhibition visually demonstrated our ideas for a larger festive spectacle, alongside an exhibition that reflects on South Bristol’s retail past and present. Reflecting upon the history of North St, the window of No.26 was transformed into an authentic ironmongers from years gone by.
We used the old Gala Bingo site as not only a viewing area, but a space for music, refreshment and a further light display by projecting images across the entire building front.

Why ‘Spring Forward’ was created

Illuminate’s aim is to produce arts-based events that promote and reflect both the creativity and rich history of the area we live in.  By opening up disused properties and generating an interest in the area we hope these events will inject energy into the area and go some way towards helping its regeneration.
‘Spring Forward’ was the first collaborative project to encompass these aims, the outcome was a great success and enabled partnerships to be formed across commerce and the arts.

Our long-term aim is to produce a festive Christmas event that would transform multiple disused shops on North/East St by using projected films/light/artists installations.

Illuminate is a partnership between Jess Wright and Dave Morgan-Davies, which grew out of our respective involvement in the South Bristol Business Awards and the Southbank Bristol Arts Arts Trail.  We aim to produce arts based events that use disused properties in Bristol to bring business, residential and artistic communities closer together.

Points that threatened the project.

Perhaps the most uncertain aspect of the project was in dealing with empty properties, whilst the aim of the project was to bring life back to the area we were always under threat of any of the three spaces we were using being rented out, so no longer available!
However we kept up extremely good relations with all landlords and had their full support during the event, we worked with them to promote their business and any interest in the area they may have had. For example the landlord of 26 North St worked with the local boys football team so we were able to give some publicity to their team during the event to raise awareness of supporting local youth teams.

The biggest issue we had to encounter was the health and safety and permit issues with the local authority. Bristol City Council is split into many departments and communication between the groups is not strong. Although we had received funding from the regeneration department and submitted information to highways and transport department (due to use of the road and bright lights) we were unaware of another permit needed in which we had submit and receive permission within 24 hours of the event!

Again due to working alongside regeneration and the Neighbourhood Arts teams we were able to process the permit swiftly and the event was given permission to proceed!

Other difficult aspect was obtaining insurance for the event, due to the various aspects involved it did not fit into any particular category. This was one area in which the unknown was fairly frightening as we were orgainizing a public event on public and private property. The outcome was to use common sense, obtain the necessary insurance to cover the public, buildings and contents and employ marshals on the night to keep an eye out for any unforeseen circumstances.

The best story so far…

The best part of the whole event was the overwhelming support we received from all aspects and people from the community, it was fantastic to see both older and younger generations getting involved and discussing how the area has changed and what the future might hold.
On the opening night we had a larger mix of younger people enjoying the music and outdoors atmosphere and then during the daytime over the following weekend we had more of the older generation coming along to see the exhibition and then coming back later in the evening to view the films.
We had such a good mix of things to see, an exhibition of ‘before and now’ of Bedminster, a model of North St, an exhibition of ideas for the future, an recreation of an ironmongers window and of course the projected films, there really was something for everyone.

Impacts of the project

We had an independent evaluation taken out on the project (which we are including with this application), this gives detailed information on how all aspects of the community benefited form the project. However to give a general idea, we worked with over 30 local businesses and community groups and initiated meetings between potential working partnerships within the city.
All groups have indicated that they were very pleased with the outcome and would happily be involved in any further projects.

We had approx 2,000 visitors and over 500 comments cards filled in with positive feedback about the event.

Although the majority of visitors came from the local area of Bedminster and Southville we also had visitors from across the city and a few from neighbouring counties in the Southwest

26,28 North St

Bedminster

Bristol

BS3 1EN