My mum and her best friend (who live in Somerset) came up especially for the NY-style block party, and I couldn't wait to take them to Nelson Street. We walked from Redland towards St Micheals Hill, which is where we got our first glimpse of the pinstriped paint-spiller piece, on the side of a 10 story building. The music on Nelson Street had managed to permeate all the way up here - surprising but adding to the anticipation. We arrived at the West Gate end at around 3.30pm and there was already a big crowd clustering close to the Team Love sound system as well as pockets of people ogling the art works.
Overnight the street had been transformed into an urban oasis - complete with green astro-turf on the ground, baskets/pots/tubs overflowing with flowers, herbs and foliage covering all the mundane and unsightly objects usually associated with your average urban setting. Even the bus stops had been camouflaged in reams of fake greenery - further embellished with, "Bus Service Suspended" signs. Then you look up and see the finished pieces of graffiti - well most except for El Mac, who was was still working on his sublime 'mother and child' long after the music stopped at around 9pm - so much pride has gone into this event, and it's evident at every turn of the head.
Every area was accessible, there were few security guards and even fewer police - an unusual yet welcome gesture of trust. We explored a whole new world accompanied by some funky family-friendly tunes spouting from three sound systems - the distinctly poignant smell of paint still lingering in the balmy air. Up on the bridge crossing the street we got a proper view, though I was more intent on watching other people reacting to the Nelson Street take-over - such happiness in abundance. I don't think I heard a bad word spoken all day.
I'd say most of the people there had heard about the event through word-of-mouth and wanted to satisfy their curiosity, but you'd see the odd stag do or hen party (rudimentary element to any Saturday night in Bristol) happen upon Nelson Street and get a bit caught up in the commotion. A friend of mine over-heard someone saying "What's this - some kind of a hippy street party?", which I suppose it looked a bit like after about 7pm when the street's inhabitants became more inebriated. I think it was a good idea to stop the music and close down the street at 9pm, to preserve the kudos of such a good day and not let things get hairy.
I only had one cider and a few sips of wine - mainly as I needed to train for the marathon today (11.4 miles without stopping!), but I didn't feel like I needed anything else - it was such a naturally high day for me. I even managed to fit in a bit of sightseeing from the M shed (acting as tour guide for mum and her friend), the top floor terrace really gives you a unique view of the city - though it's a shame it's not quite enough of a panorama to incorporate the suspension bridge.
My night drew to a close at Castle Park, sat within a circle of friends discussing the day's events. Such intrigue and debate - where else would you see so much contemporary art for free, in the middle of a street? Or, where a ten-year-old boy can bust out his break-dancing routine in a circle of over-joyed parents and party-goers - everyone gunning for more?
Received a very encouraging text from my mum the following day, which read: "Still soooo impressed by the graff, may come again while it's still fresh." She also said the graffiti had inspired her to inject more colour into her ceramics - which is a beautiful and moving gesture. I would imagine that many others feel the same, and this should be exactly the kind of reaction the 'See No Evil' organisers were hoping to evoke.
Bristol is where it's at. Friendly, unpretentious, gritty yet hopeful.
I love this city - take a bow Bristol!
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