Behind the Fences
Located in Bristol’s harbourside, Arnolfini is one of Europe’s leading centres for contemporary arts. It is currently undergoing a major structural and engineering building programme spanning 20 months. A basement is being dug out, a lift shaft being created through four storeys and a new double-height gallery is being built. Stressful? You bet! What better time to observe how the staff and artists at the centre are coping and find out how the centre is adapting in response to the redevelopment.
That’s exactly what 14 students from Speedwell Technology College, Bedminster Down School, Whitefield Fishponds School and Hartcliffe School had the chance to do this summer.
Working
with building contractors, visiting artists, Arnolfini staff and BBC/GWR
sound engineers the students captured, in a stunning piece of artwork,
a sense of what is going on behind the building contractors’
fences. Photographs, video footage, sound recording and building materials
from the site gave a feel of the colours, sounds, textures and some
of the personalities beneath the hard-hats!
The opportunity gave the students a very real experience of working as a professional team, responding to a brief within a tight deadline and thinking creatively – all essential skills for working in the arts industry.
The rest of us will have to wait until Summer 2005 to enjoy the new arts and educational facilities at Arnolfini. In the meantime for details of contemporary arts events at other venues go to - www.arnolfini.org.uk