To mark the first Wick Wednesday, we've joined forces with local environmental architecture practice, Studio Bark, to launch the new 'Grow Pod', The design principles of this low-impact 'U-Build' pod came out of Studio Bark's desire to make construction truly affordable and self-built, opening up the prospect of self-led construction to a greater proportion of the general public. The structure incorporates a long pop-up hatch window (powered by reclaimed car-boot pistons), a modular (locally sourced) Douglas Fir skin, and modular green roof.
The 'Grow Pod' started life as a Garden Room for an East London community centre. The pod was later relocated in Bicester where it became Studio Bark’s much loved site hut for the summer. Following its most recent move to become part of Grow's eco-system, it will be adopted by a number of different residents over the next 6 months.
The pod's first resident will be artist Gareth Jones. Gareth is a locally based artist and recent MA graduate. He will spend time in the pod seeing how it and the environment can support his practice as well as explore a new series of works that will take reference from the surroundings. He will also document in photos his experience of the pod as flexible and adaptable working space.
Studio Bark, Gareth and the team at Grow are excited to see how different artists and small businesses may adapt the space to their needs demonstrating the requirement for flexibility within the creative community. We will be all available for a chat more about the project as part of Wick Wednesday (20 December) from 7-9pm.
In addition to the launch of the eco-pod, as it's Wednesday it's time for free live jazz! Join the Rio Quartet (Boris Latinov on guitar, Jamie Murray on drums, Rio Kai on double bass and Tamás Gyurcsó on sax) plus special guests for this intimate weekly jazz jam with DJ Jazzintime spinning vinyl in between live sets. These pro-musicians bring you a fresh and energetic approach to mainly a hardbop jazz repertoire with jazz classics and their own compositions. And for those other musicians out there, why not join them for a jam on stage?
Live Jazz every Wednesday with the Rio Quartet at Grow!
In the kitchen, Slow Fire London have prepared a special festive 'Christmas in a Bun' Menu, as well as their usual offer of a cheeseburger (or vegan option) plus fries for £7.50. We'll also be serving a range of carefully selected organic and craft drinks, plus hot mulled wine from the bar!
About Wick Wednesday
Wick Wednesday is brought to you by social enterprise Creative Wick . Kicking off on Wednesday 20th December, Hackney Wick & Fish Island will be opening it’s doors and inviting people from all over London to experience a life less ordinary. and will be an entire day and night of special offers, exhibitions, events, performances and classes, designed to open people’s eyes to the endless wonders in the world’s most concentrated creative community
About Studio Bark
www.studiobark.co.uk
Studio Bark is a Hackney Wick based pioneering architectural practice that delivers inspiring, yet cost-conscious environmental architecture with a hands-on approach to research, design and fabrication. Studio Bark have been developing their low-impact U-Build system for the past two years alongside engineering firm ‘Structure Workshop’ and CNC workshop ‘Cut and Construct’. Using modern CNC cutting technology means pieces can be accurately pre-cut to size and assembled using basic tools and with minimal construction experience.
About Gareth Jones
www.gjonesart.com
Through painting the experience (a form of phenomenology), he capture the air, the movement, and the place taking references of form, colour, and noise – marks guide rather than state the realistic, allowing the viewer to compose their own understanding of the ambiguities.
About Grow Hackney
We are an independently run space and an experiment in ethical business, which includes working with local artists, musicians on collaborative projects to host free events where everyone is welcome. We pay London Living Wage and partner with community projects to share and nurture local talent. Grow has no investment and is built by local Hackney Wickers and relys on the sharing economy of the area. Profits go back into the community.
