Introducing the main commission at Campus Heart
A major art commission for the New University Library will create a landmark artwork that becomes a memorable feature in the fabric of this building. The final artwork and a process of community engagement will help to shape a dynamic and sociable place at the heart of the University; that warmly invites students, staff, local neighbours and international audiences to share in the new public spaces and resources at Campus Heart.
The commission will be framed by the guiding themes of:
- Welcome and Invitation – investigating concepts of hospitality and openness with students, staff and communities across Bristol
- Theatricality and Playfulness – the Theatre and Live Art collections provide inspiration for creating unexpected experiences
- Inclusive sense of Place – creating a social realm rooted in histories and narratives that resonate with diverse audiences
The first phase of the commission will be an in-depth period of research and development that will ensure that proposals for a permanent artwork are rooted in context. The artist will work directly with University staff and students and the Cultural Collections. They will also engage with local communities to explore experiences of this area around Woodland Road, Tyndall Avenue and Royal Fort Gardens. This process will result in smaller scale temporary projects, which will enliven the area with creative activity whilst the New University Library is under construction.