A hidden river that flows beneath the streets of south Bristol is being honored through a unique community-driven art project that combines music, light, and local storytelling. The river Malago, which runs largely underground through the Bedminster neighborhood, has inspired residents to come together for an innovative artistic celebration that aims to raise awareness about this concealed waterway.
Local residents collaborated with composer Liam Taylor-West to record the sounds of the river Malago, creating a musical piece titled "A River's Song." The composition captures the essence of the waterway that remains largely invisible to most Bristol residents, as much of it flows through underground channels or deep culverts rather than being exposed to view. Taylor-West explained the motivation behind the project, stating that "the river is not that obvious as it's either underground or down deep channels, so the idea came about to draw attention to it in the hope that people might take a bit more care of it."
The composer, who has dedicated four months to this community-centered project, expressed his enthusiasm for working with Bedminster residents. He described it as a "real pleasure" to collaborate with local people and to "hear their stories, their music and the songs they came up with." This grassroots approach has allowed the artistic work to authentically reflect the community's connection to their hidden natural heritage.
The musical composition will be presented as part of an immersive installation that combines sound and visual elements at Philip Street Chapel in Bedminster. Taylor-West has partnered with Bristol-based artist Zoe Broome to create a complementary light artwork that will be displayed alongside the community-generated music, creating a multi-sensory experience for visitors.
The exhibition will be accessible to the public with specific viewing hours designed to accommodate different schedules. The installation opens from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM BST, and will continue on Saturday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Beyond the chapel exhibition, the musical piece will also be featured as part of an audio walking experience available on both Saturday and Sunday as part of the broader Art on the Hill trail, allowing visitors to experience the artwork while exploring the neighborhood where the hidden river flows.
