Sanctum: Theaster Gates
Date uploaded: July 29, 2015
Situations has launched Theaster Gates’ first major UK public project in Bristol. From the 29th of October 2015 'Sanctum' starts a 552-hour continuous programme of performance that will breathe new life into the sleeping site of Temple Church. In partnership with English Heritage, Sanctum forms part of the cultural programme for Bristol 2015 European Green Capital supported by Arts Council England.
The artist has sought out discarded and dormant materials from former places of labour and religious devotion across Bristol to build an intimate and distinctive temporary structure at Temple Church. From midday on Thursday the 29th of October, Sanctum will host a continuous programme of performance over 576 hours until midday on Saturday the 21st of November, sustained by Bristol’s performers, musicians and bands.
Visitors will be able to enter ‘Sanctum’ day and night and whilst organisers will announce who the performers are, no one will know who is playing when, anything from headline bands and gospel choirs to spoken word artists.
Capacity will be limited so that the experience of Sanctum remains intimate. To guarantee a time to visit, booking to reserve entry is available from the 21st of September. For more information click here.
Sanctum has been developed through Theaster’s encouragement to see and reflect upon the unseen, unvisited and under-heard. In the shell of the English Heritage site of Temple Church, Sanctum will test out what future spaces of contemplation and gathering might supersede the sanctuaries of the past.
