Cabin Tactics, 2008

Temporary Public Artwork
Independent

I devised and commissioned a series of temporary public artworks for northcabin between 2007-2008. Based in a small semi-circular operating cabin on Redcliffe Bridge, Bristol the programme was developed to give emerging artists the chance to make new work for an architecturally unusual space.

northcabin opened up the possibility for other individuals and organisations to use the space for the display of contemporary visual art and is now part of Capacity Bristol: Temporary Use of Empty Buildings Programme. www.aprb.co.uk/opportunities/current/bristol-creative-space

northcabin was funded by Arts Council South West, Bristol City Council, University of the West of England, Spike Island Associates and Alias. The bursary programme was supported by Interface at AN.

Cabin Tactics

“The structures on Redcliffe Bridge definitely have a sense of 1984 about them, and it is this atmosphere of constant surveillance that the piece Cabin Tactics, 2008 taps into, adopting a stance of defiance.

Subversive activity conducted in the name of survival can become oppressive itself. By the simplicity of its fight against oppression, its determined focus and lack of compromise seems fanatical. And the covert codes of communication intensify the sense of an exclusive organisation.” Sovay Berriman, 2008.

www.sovayberriman.co.uk

About the site

northcabin was based in a disused operating cabin on Redcliffe Bridge. The bridge was erected in 1939 and replaced a ferry, which connected Redcliffe with the City Centre of Bristol. The north cabin still contains the disused machinery that used to operate the bridge, which is now electronically controlled from the south cabin. Redcliffe is located in the old harbour district of the city, once a bustling district it now serves as a transitory space between the centre and the suburbs. The space provides an intersection between road, river, and pedestrian routes.