theaster gates embeds performance space within bombed church ruins in bristol

from now until november 21, 2015, a temporary structure housed within the walls of bristol’s temple church hosts a continuous program of musicians, performers and speakers, enlivening and amplifying the spirit of the site. chicago-based artist theaster gates has embedded ‘sanctum’ inside the bombed out shell of the 14th century church, constructed from the remnants of former sites of labor and worship across the city. the building acts as an intimate gathering place for the both locals and visitors, where hundreds of bristol-based performers will maintain sound continuously over the course of 552 hours. sound will be sustained by performers, musicians, choirs, spoken-word artists, historians, poets and speech-makers, ranging from the infectious beat of flamenco to a eulogy.

the building acts as an intimate gathering place for the both locals and visitors
all images © max mcclure

the concept for the structure follows gates’ overarching theme of giving new life to sites which have been ‘sleeping’ through the use of locally-sourced materials. the timber, bricks and doors have been sourced from former georgian houses across bristol; flooring has been created using doors from a former chocolate factory in greenbank, easton;  wood donated from the prince street swing bridge, has been used to make the sanctum information point. ‘sanctum is a collaboration with the city’s materials, the city’s administrators, the city’s artists and musicians to engage in quietly restorative work and to amplify the city’s unheard voices,’ gates said.

hundreds of bristol-based performers will sustain sound continuously over the course of 552 hours

the program includes performers, musicians, choirs, spoken-word artists, historians, poets and speech-makers

a continuous program of musicians, performers and speakers, enlivening and amplifying the spirit of the site

bagpipes add a distinct sound and sensibility to the site

portrait of theaster gates within ‘sanctum’

the building-up of ‘sanctum’ inside the shell of bristol’s temple church