Arts / college green
‘Any space that encourages people to play is a good thing’
As darkness fell on College Green on Monday night, the new interactive light installation erected in its midst elicited laughter and smiles from passers-by.
“Any space that encourages people to play is a good thing in my opinion,” said 44-year-old playground designer Jules Bowyer from Knowle after he had cycled through the nine sculptures on his bike on his way home from work.
“It’s a space that a lot of people access and it makes you notice other important landmarks.”
is needed now More than ever
The installation, called Cityscape, is a collaborative project led by Bristol City Centre BID with the aim of encouraging people to “create their own unique sensory experiences” over Christmas.
Moving through the installation activates motion sensor lights which memorise and replicate your path to leave an imprint of your visit.
Co-creator of Cityscape Ben Price was watching how people interacted with the sculptures on Monday. He told Bristol24/7: “College Green is a very unexplored place in the winter months. We wanted to bring people back into this space and allow them to leave their imprint so that even after they have gone their path and identity remains.”
Ben added: “We wanted to add something that’s a bit different to traditional seasonal lighting. Bristol is one of the biggest cultural capitals in the country so why do a Christmas tree? There’s loads of Christmas trees everywhere.”
As 27-year-old Nathaniel Byrne from Bishopston watched the arches slowly light up in turn, he described it as “playful, relaxing and random”. He said: “It’s all about bringing the space back to life in winter.”
On his way to a carol concert, 22-year-old William Waterhouse, an investment consultant from Easton, stopped to check out the installation, reflecting on a more philosophical meaning.
He said: “I’m getting Stonehenge and pagan vibes. I think there’s something intrinsically spiritual about it and the fact that it’s next to the cathedral is quite apt.
“People get so caught up in their day-to-day life but this is a way of just stopping and thinking. I think it reflects that individuals have their own path in life which leaves an impact on others.”
Read more: ‘Interactive light installation’ replaces Christmas tree this year on College Green
Main photo by Chris Cooper
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
