PEOPLE by LOW PROFILE

Abstract

LOW PROFILE commissioned Laserline Road Marking Ltd to paint the word ‘PEOPLE’ on the forecourt of Preston Bus Station – creating a temporary artwork for visitors and passers-by to engage with. The artists were interested in using this format to mimic the way that road markings normally direct our attention and behaviour, shaping how we navigate through public spaces. The creation of the text makes a statement about this part of the bus station’s future use as a new public space. The text disappeared as the forecourt underwent further development in Autumn 2019.

A film creates a portrait of the two workers installing the text – drawing attention to both the changing nature of the space, and the skill, labour and teamwork involved in creating changes in the built environment that may otherwise be overlooked.

LOW PROFILE wanted to mark the moment of the bus station’s 50th anniversary by again placing value on, and celebrating, the people of Preston – highlighting the role that people play in shaping and making place.

Beautiful and Brutal: 50 Years in the Life of Preston Bus Station, a collaboration between Professor Charles Quick of In Certain Places and Curator of History James Arnold of the Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library was a programme of new contemporary artist commissions culminating in an exhibition at the Harris Museum, and supplemented by an events programme that included architectural tours, a birthday party event hosted at Preston Bus Station itself and a conference hosted at the Harris. The project that set out to examine, reveal and promote the building’s significance to the people of Pres¬ton in terms of architecture, urban planning, social engagement and a source of artistic inspiration.

Commissioned artist Keith Harrison along with filmmaker Jared Schiller and Carl Brown of Preston Field Audio staged Conductor, a choreographed interruption into the daily life of Preston Bus Station. LOW PROFILE worked with a road marking company to create their site-specific text artwork PEOPLE, highlighting the role of the people of Preston in the creation and campaign to preserve Preston Bus Station. Filmmaker and artist Anna Raczynski made a series of 22 short films featuring interviews exploring a variety of individuals relationship with Preston Bus Station.

The three commissioned artworks were presented alongside archival exhibits and other works of contemporary art inspired by or featuring Preston Bus Station as part of the exhibition Beautiful and Brutal: 50 years in the life of Preston Bus Station.
The conference of the same name brought together experts from the fields of public art, architecture and historical collections to investigate the role of Preston Bus Station within the city and its importance both to the people of Preston and as an internationally renowned piece of architectural history.