PEOPLE (Preston)

PEOPLE (Preston) (2019) is a series of artworks including a film, temporary public artwork and jigsaw made at Preston’s iconic Bus Station during a period of redevelopment.

Read more Hear LOW PROFILE talk about this artwork

Images
Photo Credit: Peter Heyworth
Photo Credit: Peter Heyworth
Photo Credit: Peter Heyworth
Photo Credit: Peter Heyworth

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Who helped to make this

PEOPLE (Preston) was commissioned by Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library and In Certain Places.

The film is dedicated to the memory of our friend Clare Thornton (1970 – 2019) and was made by the following team:

  • Director of Photography: Lee Burnett
  • Sound Recording: Steven Thompson  
  • Drone Footage: Peter Heyworth  
  • Editing: Oliver Sutherland  
  • Sound Mixing & Mastering: Neil Rose
  • Road Marking: Laserline Road Marking Ltd

Where this work has ended up

The film and jigsaw puzzle made as part of PEOPLE are both held in the collection of The Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library. The film is available to watch online here. 

Bonus content

LP talk about PEOPLE (Preston)

Listen to LOW PROFILE discuss PEOPLE (Preston)

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PEOPLE (Preston)

LOW PROFILE were invited to mark Preston Bus Station’s 50th anniversary. 

Built in 1969 and striking in its design and scale, Preston Bus Station had recently been refurbished and reopened following a public campaign that fought to save it from demolition. A special regard for those using the bus station sits at the heart of the ambition of the station’s design and construction – something echoed in the way in which people continue to value it as architecturally and socially important today.

LOW PROFILE wanted to mark these achievements by placing value on, and celebrating, the people of Preston – highlighting the role that people play in shaping and making place.

In June 2019, 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. We used this format to mimic the way that road markings direct our attention and behaviour, so as to make a statement about this part of the bus station’s designated future use as a public space. The text disappeared as the forecourt underwent further development.

A film of the two workers installing the text draws attention to both the changing nature of the space, and the skill, labour and teamwork involved in creating changes in the build environment that may otherwise be overlooked.

A commemorative 500 piece jigsaw showing a photograph of the installed text was made for (and situated in) the Community Studies Library at the Harris Museum, inviting visitors to make and remake this image together.