Once A Pond A Time, the whimsical playground installation by Bristol artist Alex Lucas.

Installations like this on help to boost the local economy as well as celebrating the talent of Bristol. But what can we expect?

Transcript

00:00And tell me a little bit about what you've got going on at the moment at Cabot's Park.

00:04So we have an activation called Once Upon a Time.

00:08This is an immersive public art experience transforming our Quakers Friars area.

00:14It's almost like a living fairy tale.

00:17So the activation includes lily pads that you can walk through.

00:22So there is a large snail sculpture, which is turned into a shelter, which is a play on words for the use of the shell.

00:31We've transformed our benches into beetle benches.

00:35You can camouflage with tech into the reeds and look for hidden creatures.

00:40And there's lots of nooks and crannies and seating and there's lots of games and interactivity.

00:45So it kind of caters for the family.

00:48But also if you want a space to go and just chill out, then you can.

00:54And so you can spend 10 minutes there or the whole afternoon.

00:56There's something for everyone.

00:58Why then? Why is Cabot Circus doing this?

01:02A massive experience for locals?

01:05I think it's a great opportunity to demonstrate how public spaces can become platforms for creativity and connections.

01:12So it's not just about the commerce space, but it's got so much culture and so much history in the Quakers Friars area.

01:20So we really want to invite new audiences to experience and rediscover that area.

01:27And tell me a little bit about the process of putting it all together.

01:31You've involved artists, haven't you?

01:35What was that process like?

01:36Yes, so we are working with Alex Lucas in partnership with Cabot Circus and our creative producers for this event was Bakehouse.

01:46So it's great to use local talent.

01:48I mean, Alex is brilliant.

01:50Her art is well known in the city and it really enhances the space.

01:54It was just the perfect collaboration for this space.

01:58And we're really pleased with how it came together.

02:00And you know what? We're at a very weird time in the world.

02:03We're very much across the living crisis.

02:06For some people in lots of areas, life is pretty bleak.

02:10So what do you think it does for locals to be able to come to Cabot Circus and enjoy art?

02:17Well, it's a free, open and it's completely inclusive event.

02:20You know, like I said before, you could spend just five minutes there or you could spend all afternoon and get immersed into all of the space.

02:27But it's quite a quiet, distinctive, I guess, space and a bit different.

02:32It's almost like every element has a purpose and a story to tell.

02:38So you can take the moment out of anything you're doing and just immerse yourself in the space.

02:44Anna, tell me a little bit about what we can expect.

02:46What are the different installations?

02:48What can we see if we come to Cabot?

02:51So there's a few games, interactivity games to play.

02:55So we've done a take on our own version of Snakes and Ladders, which is great fun.