Visual culture @UWE: Seminar Task 3- Site visit

We made a list of factors that could impact our experience as viewers/ consumers. Our group agreed on the date of our visit and the meeting time and place.
It was agreed between Gina, Leigh & myself ( Rosie our fourth member was absent ) that we would meet on Thursday 31st Oct @ 9.30am outside Tobacco factory in Bedminster. We would view and record the Street art on North Street and also visit the Grant Bradley gallery in Bedminster. We informed Rosie of our plans but unfortunately she could not join us as it clashed with a workshop she had previously booked.

We decided to record our findings with photographs and note taking and talking to any staff on hand.

As Leigh is familiar with the area, he was our guide equipped with some useful local knowledge of the town's history and cultural significance.
Gina and myself, we took photographs while I was taking the notes.

1st Stop: North Street
We started walking from Tobacco factory to the other end of North Street observing the variety of Street Art. The weather was dim and cold but it wasn't wet. We saw a lot of graffiti art made using different techniques and styles in all sorts of locations like the side of buildings, walls of the parking lot of Tobacco factory & Chicken Shed café, shop shutters, green spaces .
Naturally it was apparent that this sort of space for exhibiting art would be suitable only to graffiti artists. Weather played a crucial role in delivery/ production of this art form. Shop shutters could be viewed only when the shop was closed and its shutter was pulled down. This would impact on the number of people viewing it whilst walking along.
The pedestrians, motorists and even the workers doing road works were very friendly and walking down the street taking photographs was not intimidating at all.

Grant Bradley Gallery
This was a well-lit gallery space with a more artsy feel to it.
As we entered we noticed there were a number of flyers about current and future exhibitions, other art related events happening locally like life drawing class and Big draw event . There were three main areas for exhibiting along with glass cabinets for displaying more delicate art work like small sculptures and hand made scarves, jewellery. The smell of fresh coffee awakened our senses and soft music with comfortable sofas and chairs made the experience quite comfortable.
The versatility of the space meant a variety of artwork could be displayed like sculptures, paintings, film, photographs and prints .
The gallery had a small café and also provided framing services which probably made it sustainable .
There was sufficient information about the artists who had displayed their work along with business cards and mailing list forms.
We spoke to the staff who were very friendly and helpful to find out more about how the gallery could be hired.
We enjoyed viewing the art on display though not all of it was to my personal liking.

We discussed the work viewed both at North Street ; an outdoor space and the Grant Bradley gallery, whilst also developing a better personal relationship with each other as a team. I can safely say it was a pleasant experience having considered all the risks and some efficient planning and time-keeping.
Well done Team !