Photo project takes over centre
Giant photographs the size of double beds are being put on display in Bath as part of a project to highlight environmental destruction.
When work is complete, there will be no fewer than 120 pictures forming a trail around the city centre.
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Art from the air
Described as one of the most striking visual exhibitions in the world, the Earth from the Air project will be in Bath for four months as part of a series of environmental events hosted by Bath and North East Somerset Council.
The authority says the project will focus people's minds on why it is aiming to reduce its carbon emissions by at least 30 per cent over the next five years.
The exhibition is of aerial photographs taken by the French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand which aim to show how human activity has left an imprint, with images ranging from desert scenes to eroded iceforms.
The council has worked with event organiser, Northamptonshire firm Wecommunic8, to bring the event to Bath, with sponsorship backing from The Roper Family Charitable Trust, the Trevor Osborne Group, and businessman Michael Edge.
Council customer services cabinet member Cllr Charles Gerrish (Con, Keynsham North) said: "Bath and North East Somerset Council has worked incredibly hard to secure this exhibition that will both astound and challenge the thinking of those residents and visitors to Bath who see it. The pictures are simply breathtaking.
"The Earth from the Air exhibition provides the ideal opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of the environmental issues we face, like climate change, and to encourage people to join with the council in cutting carbon emissions. We would like to thank those involved in helping the council bring this magnificent spectacle to the area."
The installation of the giant panels has begun around Bath Abbey and will continue until next week, when the exhibition will officially open on August 28.
The display will be in Bath until January 10, but from November 4 will be moved to the new SouthGate shopping precinct.
The council says it is expected to provide a "significant" increase in visitors to Bath, with the panels initially set up through Kingston Parade, Abbey Church Yard, and Union Street.
Other events tying in with it will include a summit of academics from Britain's six official Science Cities - which include the Bristol area, taking in B&NES - in October and the staging of the annual conference of renewable energy organisation Regen South West in November.
But work on the exhibition installation has had its own environmental impact.
David Thayer, who owns the David Thayer Ice Cream Shop in York Street said his business had suffered because of the exhibition as a large lorry had been blocking his premises for more than two days.
He said: "We were not consulted about the lorry being there and no one can see our shop.
"We rely on passing trade and most of our customers are tourists so we have been losing business as a result of this.
"This is serious for a small business and it is bad enough with the recession."
A council spokesman however said: "Mr Thayer was informed last week that the exhibition would be set up this week and what the process would involve. The lorry will be gone by early tomorrow morning. Local businesses in the vicinity of the abbey will benefit from additional visitor footfall over the coming months."
19 Comments
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by Slomo, Bath
Thursday, August 27 2009, 1:50PM
“Perhaps David Thayer would like Bath Abbey demolished, as it spoils the view of his shop from the High Street?”
by bubba, bath
Sunday, August 23 2009, 6:18PM
“I popped in to town today on my bike and had a look at these. I thought they were quite thought provoking to some and perhaps a reminder to others. and an answer to JM's comment, judging by how many pics there were, I would suggest maybe a couple of Transits.”
by Dave, Walcot
Friday, August 21 2009, 7:58PM
“PW & Anil
Unfortunately, at the Podium, it was the exact opposite with car drivers getting discount. Pedestrians & public transport users getting nowt!
Mr. Goth, you need to get out on your bike more & use the 'green' corridor. :-)”
by PW, Bath
Thursday, August 20 2009, 5:47PM
“Anil - interesting theory - If I go to Sainsbury's in a car with a friend, should I get the discount too? What about disabled drivers? And should buses only be allowed to travel if they are full, otherwise they are surely just doing more climate damage? Or is it just those who have given up cars, electricity, methane producing beef, plastic bags and disposable nappies? Your sainthood is in the post..”
by rogerh, Bath
Thursday, August 20 2009, 3:15PM
“Of course B&NES, like any bureaucracy, gets things wrong sometimes but it's no reason to criticise everything they do. I saw this exhibition when it was outside the Natural History Museum a few years ago and would recommend it to anyone. It's a welcome addition to Bath's attractions.”
by anil, south glos
Thursday, August 20 2009, 1:03PM
“Haven't seen these pictures properly yet,; just a glimpse. Yes, BANES seems to have a killjoy attitude towards other objects placed by traders. Seems odd.
A car-free lifestyle isn't easily to maintain. Quite apart from practicalities, there are negative perceptions to contend with. I feel some tangible measures need to follow.
For example, I have a 'bite card' that gives me 20per cent off purchases at a selection of coffee and snack outlets. Initially, this started as a scheme valid only at rail stations.
Similarly, sainsbury's et all could give me 5 - 10 pe rcent off for using public transport. I make no demands on their car park. Likewise, all other retailers could do the same. I carry proof with me at all times; an oyster card and its poor relation here, the magnetic striped thin card version.
As I get older though, the ability to get about everywhere quickly becomes more attractive. That's not going to be possible here. For part of the time, I'm' used to: " missed the bus? No problem. There's another in 4 minutes" or " I can catch that train which goes via Althorpe-by-the-trafficjam" Then I come to:"Oh dear, no bus for 1 hr 45 mins" or "what? no trains at all?"
At a supermarket I regularly use in London, all buses in the area call in on their way. A 'buses only' accessway has been created through its carpark. Buses stop near the entrance. Often, a supermarket employee or one from several bus companies that serve it is on hand to help people using wheelchairs, with buggies or heavy shopping. That maybe light years ahead in terms of reducing carbon footprints, but I feel the picture exhibition is a move in the right direction.....”
by JC, Bath
Wednesday, August 19 2009, 7:15PM
“Rather like the pigs, I quite enjoy these type of one-off displays, although I do agree with the traders about inconsistency. I have never liked the Council killjoy attitude about ice-cream comes, Ronnie etc. The climate change theme is interesting and hopefully it will be thought provoking. Maybe the Council will finally realise we are being fleeced by First. Maybe the Government will understand why it should be cheaper to travel by rail rather than air, why passengers pay vastly different prices to use the same train, why fares rise to reduce demand rather than adding extra carriages etc. And perhaps look at 'food miles', and excessive supermarket packaging. Maybe our Councillors will start using Public Transport.....
Sorry to sound cynical, but whilst we are guilt-tripped into reducing our carbon footprint, those in power won't make the decisions that could make a real difference.”
by JM, Bath
Wednesday, August 19 2009, 6:59PM
“I wonder how many big smelly lorries it took to bring them, and that will obviously need to come back and get them? Or did they come by bicycle?”
by Moe, Bath
Wednesday, August 19 2009, 6:12PM
“"The council says it is expected to provide a "significant" increase in visitors to Bath"
Well, that's going to benefit the environment isn't it?
Sigh. Why is it, that when anyone wants to put on an event of any kind these days, it has to be about "raising awareness of climate change". Each and every time someone puts on an exhibition or concert, travels to the arctic to highlight the plight of polar bears, or flies all over the world to take some pictures (as in this case), it is adding to the problem.
Everyone seems to be thinking "well, I can pollute as much as I like so long as I try to persuade everyone else to pollute less". Everyone thinks they can justify their own excesses with some pathetic appeal to others to curb theirs. It's always someone else's problem.
If some bloke wants to charter a plane around the world just to take pictures and then put them on display then fair enough, but I can't believe there's anyone left in Bath unaware of climate change.
Come on council, we don't need our minds focusing. We know why you need to cut your emissions and we'd like you to just get on with it, thank you very much. Cut the greenwash - we're not that stupid.”
by Janus, Bath
Wednesday, August 19 2009, 3:42PM
“If someone want sot put up lots of nice, large pictures for people to look at, then why not put them somewhere like the Rec (or a P&R side - captive audience there!)? It is bad enough trying to get around the the City centre already without adding obstacles.
And if the argument is that people won't go to the Rec (or elsewhere) to see them, well....perhaps that just indicates the general lack of interest in the subject.
Let's be honest about it, the average man-in-the-street is more interested in the recession, cost of living, price of petrol, keeping his job etc etc than the thickness of the ice in the Artice or similar stuff.
I'm not saying that he is right (or not), simplay trying to be realistic.
And how much is all this costing and could not that money be put to a better use???”