Hackney WickED: the highlights
Five things not to miss at Hackney WickED
Hackney WickED Art Festival Riviera
Forget Venice or Cannes, the epicentre of this summer’s
essential art festival is the Lee Navigation canal at Forman’s Fish Island. Here you’ll find a music stage showcasing local bands, and the artist stalls and installations of ‘Fate for the WickED’. If you want to arrive in style, book yourself a place on one of the guided kayak trips running from Limehouse (booking essential via www.secretadventures.org).
Forman’s Fish Island, E3 2NT
Swan Wharf exhibition
The festival takes over this beautiful turn-of the-twentieth-century warehouse to show stridently diverse work including Dani Tagen’s insulation tape wall
drawings and Fran Ortega’s TV installation. Look out for roaming performances by Rosie Ridgeway (Friday and Saturday) and Eloise Fornieles (Saturday and Sunday). You shouldn’t have much trouble tracking down Francesco Zuccarello’s ‘Hackney Wick Symphony’. The artist posted a series of blank music scores around Hackney Wick inviting locals to write their own symphony by filling them in. Fed into a computer programme, the resulting soundwork will waft through the space all weekend.
Swan Wharf, Dace Rd, E3 2NQ.
Site-specific artworks
A trio of public art commissions: Photographer Stephen Gill’s billboard is made up of hundreds of images of the area shot between 2004 and 2006 on a 1960s box camera he bought for 50p in Hackney Wick market; 'Psychogeographer' Laura Oldfield Ford is creating a politically-motivated, photorealist work; Daryl Brown is making a sculptural accumulation made of urban detritus.
Open studios
According to urban legend, in east London you’re never more than six feet away from an artist. And without them flinging open their doors, there would be no Hackney WickED. More than 20 buildings are taking part this year (click here for a map).
The Beggars’ Banquet
A nosh-up with a conscience, Saturday’s banquet (booking
essential) treats you to five courses (plus live music and performances) in the knowledge that proceeds from your £25 ticket go to local social enterprises the People’s
kitchen, Rejuce and United Diversity that put London’s food waste to ethical good use. Dig in!
Top art features
This week's best new art
The best new exhibitions you'd be mad to miss this week
Photography in London
Addicted to Instagram or permanently attached to your SLR? Even if your camera roll is totally empty, you'll find a way to appreciate London photography; we have the widest variety of styles in some of the best exhibitions at the most beautiful galleries. Find them in a flash with our guide to photography in London.
Latest art reviews
Find out what our critics make of London's new exhibitions
Art interviews
We speak to the biggest names and emerging talent in the art world
More to explore
Snap up exclusive discounts in London
Time Out's handpicked deals — hurry, they won't be around for long...
