ORGAN PREVIEW: Hackney WickEd is almost upon us, a week and a bit to go until another of the city’s best artist-led events and a gathering of….

Aida Wilde and friends, The Lord Napier, Hackney WickEd 2016

Hackney WickEd is almost upon us, a week and a bit to go until another of the city’s best artist-led events and a gathering of some of “London’s most exciting artists to celebrate a Summer of Love at Hackney WickED DIY Open Studios” This year the ever evolving event happens from July 28th to July 30th.

“For one weekend only, art lovers from across London and the world are invited to Explore the labyrinth of spaces that make up “London’s creative square mile”, be Inspired and Buy new art works from a range of artists – from renowned international names to the exciting new generation of the grassroots scene, students, and everything in between”.

“What people don’t realise about Hackney WickED is the honesty of the festival; it is made from the energy of the artists… It really is quite different to any other festivals that people will have gone to. Go to Hackney WickED for a real artist festival!
Gavin Turk – Hackney WickED Patron

HWED HIGHLIGHTS – “With more than 20 creative spaces joining forces the jam-packed schedule running throughout the weekend includes exhibitions, dance, music, theatre, art installations, live art, tours, workshops, jams, cafes, markets, evening fringe events & more. A snapshot of the many activities includes offering visitors the rare opportunity to view studios of over 150 of London’s leading contemporary artists from SPACE Studios, Stour Space, Mother X and more; Hackney Wick Group Show in partnership with Gavin Turk, opportunity to view Studio Wayne McGregor in rehearsal; Hackney Wick Floating Museum of narrow boats exhibiting sculpture; open workshops at the London Centre for Book Arts; Hackney Wick life drawing classes, #SaveHackneyWick’s ‘Dis’place’ themed panel talks & performances, Gay Photographers Network Annual Exhibition at Arebyte Gallery, Artigon’s Emerge Exhibition at Stour Space, The Yard & Hub 67 Community Celebration with creative activities for all ages, Live Art Development Agency’ ‘Leaving Party’ & more”

A #43ArtDrop, Hackney Wick, July 2016

The rather unique Hackney WickEd weekend is pretty much about arriving early in the day on either the Saturday or Sunday and then just spending as many hours as you wish to exploring the many studios, bars, spaces, or streets (there’s a lot of street art in the Wick, worth going if all you do explore the streets and enjoy the walls). The studios and galleries are alive with a whole manner of art and design, with music, performance, fashion, contemporary painting, you can be exploring all day and still not see it all, and then in the evening the parties start to kick in. The Wick is compact, you are never ever that far from the next studio or the many galleries or events. Artists studio can tell you so much more about an artist and how they work than a formal piece of work hung in a gallery ever can, and even if one or two of the artists do dress things up and “accidentally” leave the right book on show and such, always worth exploring a studio or two when you get the chance, exploring the world of an artist is always rewarding, the Hackney WickEd weekend is always worth your time and effort. And of course with gentrification, redevelopment and the damaging legacy of the Olympics, it always feels like this might be the last chance to celebrate the wick, treasure your artists and your spaces while you still have them, London needs places like Hackney Wick…. (SW)

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