Bristol to host the UK’s largest street art project

03/08/2011

Categories: Official press releases

This summer Bristol, England will play host to the most ambitious permanent street art project ever to take place in the UK, called 'See No Evil'. The event will result in Bristol's Nelson Street becoming one of the world's largest outdoor art exhibitions.

El Mac graffiti in Salt Lake City

The world’s leading street artists will paint the facades of ten multi-storey Bristol buildings along Nelson Street in Bristol City Centre as part of ‘See No Evil’. Visitors are invited for a weekend full of fun during this historic event taking place the weekend of 20 August 2011. Event organisers hope that the street art will mirror the success of Melbourne, Australia's street art initiative which attracts an estimates 450,000 visitors per year.

Bristol has long been known for its street art movement in the UK, being the home to a host of famous artists and now ‘See No Evil’. The biggest names in international street art will converge on the city and take up residency on Bristol’s Nelson Street, a city centre area in need of regeneration.  Ten huge buildings will be painted over six days in August 2011, transforming this area into an inspiring masterpiece and a legacy for the city.

Organisers have already announced New York based muralists, Tats Cru whose aerosol based work is dubbed to have ‘changed the perception of graffiti as art’ and LA artist El Mac whose work is prolific across every continent. These graffiti legends will join artists from Holland, Spain, Brazil and the UK, each bringing their completely unique styles to Bristol.

 

Inkie graffiti in Berlin

The event is a collaboration between street artist Inkie, who emerged out of Bristol’s 80’s graffiti scene alongside Banksy and Bristol music promoters Team Love and is in association with Bristol City Council’s place making director, Mike Bennett.

"The jewel on the crown of the city"

Event organiser and celebrated urban artist Inkie, explains;

“We have spent nearly 12 months negotiating and planning this major project, which will be the jewel in the crown of the city’s already buzzing art scene. We have invited some of the world’s most talented graffiti artists to bring their skills to city, and we have a number of returning Bristolians to head up proceedings.

Inkie in front of Nelson Street as it is now

“Nothing of this size and scale has ever taken place in the UK and it’s an event that has captured the minds of some the world’s most respected street artists. It’s a major coup that we’ve managed to pull this off in Bristol." 

Block Party – Saturday 20^th August 2011

This extraordinary project will culminate in a FREE New York style ‘Block Party’ on Saturday 20^th August celebrating the best of Bristol’s art and music culture with live street painting and an outdoor stage. Some of the biggest names to have originated in the city will play street sets including DJ Nature (formally DJ Milo of Wild Bunch) and Greg Wilson. The live music will be joined by cartoon drawing, screen printing, tattooing, beat boxing, break dancing and street dressing with mini garden area stretching along the length of Nelson Street. The Block Party will take place from noon until 9pm.  More information >

Aryz graffiti in Poland

Hear No Evil music line-up 18^th to 20^th August 2011

Westgate, a currently disused residential building designed by architect Giles Gilbert Scott who also designed the Battersea Power Station and iconic British red telephone box, will be opening its doors for the first time in two years to host three FREE and ticketed nights of the best of Bristol music and art. Between Thursday 18^th and Saturday 20^th August, major club promoters, film and music previews, pop-up barber shops, live workshops and cocktail bars will take over this unique space, creating a temporary interactive gallery and entertainment venue.  More information >

Thursday 18^th August: Resident Advisor’s Real Scenes film screening and after party

Resident Advisor has created three short films in association with the clothing brand Bench about the cities they consider to be the most exciting and important music cities in the world right now –Bristol, Detroit and Berlin. Bristol’s film will be screened, followed by a party with several of the artists from the film, including Futureboogie, Julio Bashmore and Peverelist.  More Information >

Friday 19^th August: Westgate hosts Crazylegs

Voted best club night in Bristol 2010, Crazylegs will be hosting See No Evil’s Friday night with a top line up of cutting edge artists including the soon to blow up Mosca and Melee from 10pm to 4am.  More information >

SheOne graffiti in Newcastle

Saturday 20^th August: 
Westgate Block Party After Party

The after party will host a mixture of the great unsung heroes of Bristol’s nightlife scene, not just the big names but all the local residents who play around the city, week in week out, along with some of the best DJ's that are part of the thriving musical community that is Bristol.

Recognised pop-up urban art gallery, Weapon of Choice will also be taking up residency in Nelson Street, creating the official See No Evil gallery. The exhibition will open on Thursday 18^th August and run for three weeks showcasing original artwork, limited edition prints and clothing from a wide range of the artists taking part in the event, along with official 'See No Evil' merchandise.

Bristol is spearheading the UK’s urban art movement and the city’s Place Making Director, Mike Bennett is using Bristol’s unique and recognisable personality to strengthen it as an area for tourism, economic growth and culture.  More information >

Location: Nelson Street, Bristol BS1 2LA

Bristol City Centre map, highlighting Nelson Street

Visitor Information

• Book a Bristol hotel
• Special travel offers
• 2FOR1 visitor discounts when travelling by train
• 2FOR visitor discounts when travelling by coach
• Getting to Bristol

Confirmed International Graffiti Artists

• Andy Council, Aryz, Ben Slow, Best Ever, Bonzai, China Mike, Chu, Cosmo Sarsen, El Mac, Dicey, Feek, GMC, Hit + Run, Inkie, Kashink, Maumau, Mr Jago, Mr Wany, Mysterious Al, Nick Walker, Pinky, Ponk, SEPR, She One, Shoe, Sick Boy, Smug, Solo One, Tats Cru and Goldie, Wow 123, Xenz, Zeus  More about the artists >

Confirmed Music Acts

• DJ Milo, Mosca and Melee, Greg Wilson, Julio Bashmore, Peverelist, Appleblim, Al Tourettes, Futureboogie, Chris Farrell - Idle Hands  More about the music >

Bristol Hotel availability for 17 through 22 August

• Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre
  Address:  Bond Street, Bristol, BS1 3LE
  Offer: 17/08 - £109.95 BB; 18/08 - £99.95 BB, 19/08 - £104.95 BB, 20/08 - £114.95 BB
  Hotel description: Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre, the newest hotel in Bristol is located in the heart of the city, next to Cabot Circus on St James Barton round-about. The hotel is a 5-minute walk to the See No Evil event on Nelson Street. Shopping, entertainment, nightlife, arts, sights, history and culture are within a 10-minute walk as well. Only a stone throw away from the main bus station, a 15 minutes walk to Temple Meads railway station & easy drive in/out to M4/M5 motorways.
  Phone: 0117 924 5000
  Book a room now > 

• Hotel du Vin
  Address: The Sugar House, Narrow Lewins Mead, BS1 2NU
  Offer: Rooms from £110 room only
  Hotel description: Hotel du Vin is situated opposite See No Evil in Nelson Street. It occupies a magnificently restored 18th Century Sugar Refinery, with wine themed, stylish rooms with every comfort including walk in showers and roll top baths. The atmospheric public areas include a buzzy bar and a superb bistro.
  Phone: 0117 925 5577 
  Book a room now >

• Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel and Spa
  Address: Redcliffe Hill, Bristol, BS1 6SQ
  Offer: Rates from £85.70
  Hotel description: Contemporary four star city centre hotel with pool, fitness suite and a spa offering a wide range of beauty treatments. The hotel is walking distance to 'See No Evil' and other city centre attractions, shopping and dining.
  Phone: 0117 968 9900
  Book a room now >

More about See No Evil in Bristol >

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