It’s being billed as “his most ambitious work to date”; a colossal sculpture towering 10 meters high and 12 meters across, featuring 40 interlocking arms that weave a rope in a never-ending, non-repeating sequence.

The Nervous System (UMBILICAL) is the latest piece by Hackney-based science-meets-sculpture practitioner Conrad Shawcross, which opens in the suitably proportioned Timber Yard building in the former Olympics Broadcast Centre building at Here East next week.

The work is an analogy for the solar system, with its rotating spools represent planets orbiting the sun within an expanding galaxy. Then a rope being pulled through the center symbolizes the sun's journey through the galaxy.

It opens to the public on Thurs 11th Sept and runs through to 2nd Nov, and is free to visit. It’s the latest major cultural attraction to land at Here East this year, following the opening of the V&A Storehouse and also the World Press Photo Exhibition in the summer.

Keep an eye out on this newsletter for details of special talks and events during the run of the exhibition, too.

🎨 Catch the last week of artist in residence at Two More Years, the British-born Irish artist Shannon Kennedy, who purposefully makes her art accessible and affordable, without compromising its emotional and spiritual depth. She works primarily with acrylic on canvas, blending hand-painted techniques with the visual language of 80s and 90s anime. Runs to 10th Sept.

The Greenwich & Docklands International Festival extends into the QEOP again this weekend with Dancing City, a partnership with New York’s Fire Island Dance Festival. Everything is free, so just turn up to catch highlights such as the UK premiere of Passage by internationally acclaimed artist Yoann Bourgeois, (known for collaborations with Coldplay and Harry Styles), an LGBTQI+ led dance by ballroom house mother Courtney Balenciaga and a triple bill of works from disabled-led companies, all day this Sat 6th Sept.

👀 Get ready for this year’s edition of the popular London Open House Festival from 13th - 21st Sept, with masses of fantastic buildings for you to go and check out all over the capital. These include guided tours and drop-in sessions at a number of Hackney Wick spots, from the return of last year’s circular economy studio practices at The Loop on Thurs 18th Sept, to a chance to admire the historic, award-winningly beautiful home of HTA Design on Fri 19th.

👩🏼‍🎨 Each year since 2021, locally-based Felstead Art has presented a selection of works that respond to the physical and social changes taking place in the Hackney Wick area. The latest show, Wicked Changes IV showcases the work of 10 local artists as they explore the changing narratives in East London through their work. Runs to 30th Nov.

🍴 The world’s biggest Halal Food Festival returns to London Stadium this weekend Sat 6th & Sun 7th Sept attracting over 25k visitors for masses of eating, live music, cookery classes, giveaways and a big bazaar.

🥳 The essential LGBTQ+ community parties Queer Edge relaunch this Fri Sept 5th at Block C in Hackney Bridge. Welcoming all ages, genders, and identities, the party will feature DJ sets by J. Aria, Bradley Skeng and Vivian Bam Bam, along with performances from Camille Leon, Logan Roach, Zebra, and Femmi. There’s even a designated ‘sunflower table’ for newcomers who want a friendly place to head to meet people.

🌏 In-house global music night DigDeep is back at Grow this Sat 6th Sept and they are bringing the well-respected eclectic pioneer Patrick Forge back to the turntables again for an extended 4-hour set of jazz, broken beat, Latin rhythms, soulful house and more alongside Tumbaito (live) and more.

🧘🏼 The new ALIVE:LDN festival, taking place at Hackney Bridge all day Sun 7th Sept is a health-focused rave-up that’s all about movement, connection, and energy rather than getting trashed and throwing shapes. From morning yoga, running and dancing sessions, through to an afternoon of guest speakers, sauna and cold plunge, plus headline DJ sets from Groove Armada and Sam Divine, it’s where wellness pursuits meet the dancefloor.

🍞 Head to Hearth for a one-day immersive workshop in baking with spelt, (pictured) on Sun 21st Sept. One of the oldest cultivated grains and a brilliant alternative to industrial wheat, you’ll explore the versatility of this nutrient-rich grain while learning techniques that make it easier to handle, ferment, and bake with. Two places are available free to low income Hackney households too.

🧵 There’s a mindful hand-sewing workshop including afternoon tea at Mainyard Studios on Sat 13th Sept as Rachel Johnson teaches simple techniques to create your own reusable gift wrap beautiful reclaimed or vintage fabrics, perfect for thoughtful, waste-free gifting. It’s relaxing, beginner-friendly sewing, with the option to add embroidered or decorative touches, with discussion about the mindful benefits of sewing for all levels.

🎨 Barge East have added a final Summer Workshop date with artist and teacher Dan Whiteson to their popular series; Lee Krasner: Destroy | Create on Mon 23rd Sept. You’ll Krasner’s innovative use of collage, repurposing “failed” or old drawings into bold, dynamic new compositions, and create your own expressive works before tearing, cutting, and reassembling them into something entirely new.

😄 We love Grace Dent’s review of INIS on Fish Island that ran in The Guardian on Sunday, complete with her wry observations of Hackney Wick past and present, alongside heaping praise on the food.

💚 Last chance to have your say in proposals to green-up Prince Edward Road and give central Hackney Wick some much needed additional public green space. Consultation closes on 15th Sept.

🪛 The North London Repair Voucher Scheme offers residents of Hackney, Tower Hamlets and other nearby local boroughs easy to download vouchers for up to £50 off the cost of repairing household electricals at participating high street businesses. The project aims to help residents cut costs, reduce tech waste, and support local repair businesses. So fix it, don’t ditch it, right up to 31st Dec.

Missed seeing Gorillaz reform to play their classic albums at The Copperbox last week as the finale of the House of Kong experience? Never fear, one of those slightly odd YouTube channels where someone in the audience studiously points their phone at the stage to record the entire concert has captured all of the recent celebration of 2005’s Demon Days LP. Check it out here: