Open spaces & public art

The open spaces surrounding At-Bristol provide a stimulating starting point for a day out with us and are a delightful place to relax before exploring Bristol’s historic Harbourside and other cultural attractions such as the Watershed and Arnolfini. Cafés, bars and promenades offer plenty of places to sit, relax and enjoy the views.

Millennium and Anchor Squares have been carefully designed to include unique artworks and areas suitable for live entertainment - such as street performers - while complementing the rich architectural heritage of the site.

 

At-Bristol undertook a major public art commissioning programme themed around reflection and exploration. The artwork is often designed to be interacted with, giving a more hands on approach.

The public art complements the rich architectural heritage of the site and extends the themes of Explore by encouraging people to look at the World in a new way.

By animating the public spaces the public art helps to create a unique urban space.

Aquarena by William Pye

Millennium Square’s six unique, epic scale water sculptures which can also be drained to create a distinctive performance space.

Beetle by Nicola Hicks

Inspired by the Rhinoceros Beetle, an awesome presence - one of the World’s strongest creatures which can support up to 850 times it’s own weight on it’s back.

Bill and Bob by Cathie Pilkington

Life size bronze jack russells, Bill and Bob, swim in a puddle of rubber, or are they sinking?

Cary Grant by Graham Ibbeson

A life-size bronze of Hollywood legend Cary Grant commemorates the achievements of the actor who was born and bred in Bristol.

Small Worlds by Simon Thomas

A dramatic 18ft cone expressing colour, light and heat. Commemorating Nobel Prize winning scientist/mathematician, Paul Dirac.

William Penn, William Tyndale and Thomas Chatterton by Lawrence Holofcener

Spanning three centuries Penn, Tyndale and Chatterton were all communicators who left a lasting legacy. Interact with them and temporarily distract them from their work.

Zenith by David Ward

A dramatic integrated light piece comprising of 52 runway lights. Inspired by an analemma - the line traced by the sun recorded at noon over the course of a year, as used in the past by navigators, explorers and astronomers.