Urban Art Association

"See no evil" Bristol, by Sally on Jul 12, 2011 14:43:19 GMT 1, International street art and music event - Nelson Street, Bristol.
August 14th - 20th 2011.


Bristol street to be transformed by urban art exhibition



For most Bristolians, Nelson Street in the city centre is a drab, grey, lifeless road used by buses, taxis and lorries as a rat run between Colston Square and Broadmead.

But during August, the street will be transformed into one of the world’s largest urban art exhibition spaces, with a noisy, colourful party to celebrate the work of the world’s best street artists.

‘See no Evil’ is designed to celebrate the city’s urban art scene, but it is also hoped that the permanent artwork will attract tourists to the city, in the same way as the Banksy exhibition in 2009 did.

Eight buildings along Nelson Street will be covered with graffiti. Although organisers want the work to be “edgy”, political, sexual and violent work will not be allowed.

Speaking to Bristol24-7 this morning, Mike Bennett – the man charged with marketing the city internationally – said the event was a way of highlighting Bristol as a cultural centre nationally and internationally. He said he also hoped that events such as this would attract more of the young, dynamic and creative people to the city to live and work.

“We want to highlight the unorthodox DNA of the city and focus people’s minds onto Bristol as a place for tourism and work,” he said.

“It’s never been done before, and we’re really excited to be able to bring the best Bristol talent alongside internationally renowned artists.

“Ultimately, we want to change this unloved street into a tourist destination and attract the same types of people that queued for three hours to see the Banksy exhibition.

“This is about our competitiveness as a city and we need to back these words up with great projects. It’s about getting what we already have and making the most of it which we haven’t done before. Other cities like Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle are already doing this.”

Mr Bennett added that council leaders have fully supported the plan, which will cost £80,000 of which half will come from public funds and the rest from sponsorship and donations. Key sponsors are to be announced later this month.

One of the driving forces behind the plan is Bristol artists Inky, who has worked for more than 20 years in the urban art scene and collaborated with Banksy on a similar project in Bristol in the 1990s.

Speaking to Bristol24-7, Inky said: “It’s the biggest project I’ve ever been involved. We’ve got artists from Holland, Italy, Germany, France, Chile, Spain, Brazil and Scandinaia. They are people I have worked with before and I really respect their work.

“I have seen this street for ages and nothing has been done with it, so I have been working with people to gain sponsorship for the event.

“It’s something that Bristol needs, and a way to celebrate Bristol as a centre of excellence for street art.”

When asked if Banksy would be involved in the event, Inky gave a firm “no comment”.

The work to transform Nelson Street begins on August 14 and the party will be on Saturday, August 20. Street will be closed with music, animations, urban street art battles and workshops.


Article from www.bristol247.com

International street art and music event - Nelson Street, Bristol.
August 14th - 20th 2011.


Bristol street to be transformed by urban art exhibition



For most Bristolians, Nelson Street in the city centre is a drab, grey, lifeless road used by buses, taxis and lorries as a rat run between Colston Square and Broadmead.

But during August, the street will be transformed into one of the world’s largest urban art exhibition spaces, with a noisy, colourful party to celebrate the work of the world’s best street artists.

‘See no Evil’ is designed to celebrate the city’s urban art scene, but it is also hoped that the permanent artwork will attract tourists to the city, in the same way as the Banksy exhibition in 2009 did.

Eight buildings along Nelson Street will be covered with graffiti. Although organisers want the work to be “edgy”, political, sexual and violent work will not be allowed.

Speaking to Bristol24-7 this morning, Mike Bennett – the man charged with marketing the city internationally – said the event was a way of highlighting Bristol as a cultural centre nationally and internationally. He said he also hoped that events such as this would attract more of the young, dynamic and creative people to the city to live and work.

“We want to highlight the unorthodox DNA of the city and focus people’s minds onto Bristol as a place for tourism and work,” he said.

“It’s never been done before, and we’re really excited to be able to bring the best Bristol talent alongside internationally renowned artists.

“Ultimately, we want to change this unloved street into a tourist destination and attract the same types of people that queued for three hours to see the Banksy exhibition.

“This is about our competitiveness as a city and we need to back these words up with great projects. It’s about getting what we already have and making the most of it which we haven’t done before. Other cities like Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle are already doing this.”

Mr Bennett added that council leaders have fully supported the plan, which will cost £80,000 of which half will come from public funds and the rest from sponsorship and donations. Key sponsors are to be announced later this month.

One of the driving forces behind the plan is Bristol artists Inky, who has worked for more than 20 years in the urban art scene and collaborated with Banksy on a similar project in Bristol in the 1990s.

Speaking to Bristol24-7, Inky said: “It’s the biggest project I’ve ever been involved. We’ve got artists from Holland, Italy, Germany, France, Chile, Spain, Brazil and Scandinaia. They are people I have worked with before and I really respect their work.

“I have seen this street for ages and nothing has been done with it, so I have been working with people to gain sponsorship for the event.

“It’s something that Bristol needs, and a way to celebrate Bristol as a centre of excellence for street art.”

When asked if Banksy would be involved in the event, Inky gave a firm “no comment”.

The work to transform Nelson Street begins on August 14 and the party will be on Saturday, August 20. Street will be closed with music, animations, urban street art battles and workshops.


Article from www.bristol247.com