“It is at best a misunderstanding, and at worst a harmful lie, to portray the cultural sector as an ally of low-income groups. Campaigners against gentrification should resist every art gallery, craft workshop, or new media centre. The first art gallery in a working-class neighbourhood is a sure sign, that gentrification is imminent. “Keep them…
Category: Discussion
Under a Crane at the Hackney Wall
The first Hackney Wall project of 2012 (see elsewhere on this website) conflated the Olympic perimeter fence with the Berlin Wall. In the former East Germany they decided the first wall wasn’t big enough, so they built a second and larger one and carried on until they had what was very likely the most fortified…
The Hackney Wall: Debut Show at Hackney Wicked 2012
Fittingly on the weekend of Open House, Sat & Sun in London also sees the return of the annual ‘Open Studios’ art bonanza that is Hackney Wicked. And we’re in it! Whether you’re an art aficionado, an architectural adventurer or just plain nosey, come see some contemporary art
Talking Gentrification at Germany’s Documenta Art Fair
Documenta is Germany’s 5-yearly art fair in the relatively quiet city of Kassel. Almost completely destroyed by British bombers in WW2, the new city has been hosting this massive event since 1955 as part of a ‘fresh start’ for a then new Federal Republic of Germany. Along with academic Sarah Scarsbrook, Hackney Tours was invited…
Sport suffers by the Lee as Olympic security zone expands
It’s reasonable to suggest that to make a global spectacle omelette, you need to crack a few eggs. The London 2012 Olympics will be one mightily large dish, presented on a multimedia platter and sampled by some 4bn across the world. But when the Games mean the loss of your own amenities, it leaves a…
