Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Who knew that London's Hackney Wick has the largest number of artists per square metre than anywhere else in the world? From today and throughout the weekend, more than 500 of them will be out in force, taking part in the second annual Hackney WickED arts festival to highlight the artist community living and working in the area.
As well as artwork on show in galleries and open studios, there will also be film, sound and performance-based pieces in the Red Room at the Counter Cafe on Fish Island; live music; a graffiti jam; a watercolour painting challenge and exhibition by the river; and an Artscream truck selling affordable art from a borrowed ice-cream van. On the more serious side, Nomadic Projects are looking at the radical changes happening in the lead up to the Olympic Games in The Museum of Hackney Wick, situated in an imaginary future where the borough in its current form will cease to exist.
It's an issue that the directors of the festival are well aware of – their long-term aim is to help safeguard local artists' future. "We're a bit of a last-bastion place. We want to keep artistic creativity within the centre of London and make sure the artists' needs are recognised," explains Joanna Hughes, one of the festival directors. To say thanks for everything arty that Hackney Wick stands for, the weekend's festival will end with a street procession and ritual burning of the wicker man.
www.hackneywicked.com
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments