bl-nk launch, hackney

For the launch of BL-NK onedotzero has curated a selection of works that showcase the cream of internationally recognised digital artists and designers residing and working in Hackney.

This is a great opportunity to discover a slate of multi-award winning work from some of the borough’s top creative talent working in digital bringing art, entertainment and technology together to thrilling effect.

Fresh from scooping a Golden Nica award at Prix Ars Electronica in the Animation Category, Quayola and Memo Akten will be presenting Forms - a mesmerizing installation which sees source footage from the commonwealth games undergo a process of transformation from live action film to abstract forms. Forms was produced through Hackney-based digital production outfit Nexus Interactive Arts.

Sennep present OLO – an award winning addictive iPad game of skill and strategy for 2 or 4 players - a playful twist on traditional board games. It was the iTunes App Store Runner-Up for Game of the Year 2012.

Loop.pH, have installed their innovative E-Nest seating whilst Jason Bruges Studio will present a former Designs of the Year, Mimosa - a captivating interactive artwork featuring Lumiblade OLEDs whose behavior mimics responsive plant systems.

Plus, innovative screen-based work from Field, Max Hattler, Evan Boehm [Nexus] and Andreas Müller aka Nanika.

Further Hackney talent is represented in the break-out room, with a screening of onedotzero's hackney select reel which explores new forms and hybrids of moving image and features work by Johnny Kelly, Spov, Carolina Melis, Marshmallow Laser Feast, The Light Surgeons, The Found Collective and more!

Musical and visual entertainment will be provided courtesy of DJ sets by Hot Chip's Al Doyle and Pete Fowler. With Max Hattler providing live visuals.

BL-NK is a 3,200 SqFt urban-space in Hackney's Shoreditch district. It has been created to serve as a hub for showcasing local projects and encouraging inward investment for Hackney and East London businesses and initiatives, whose huge variety mirrors that of this thriving community. Building on the success of its award-winning Hackney House initiative, Hackney Council and partners are set to launch BL-NK, a unique venue for Hackney’s creative business community.

Doors to BL-NK will open 25 September on East Road, with art, tech, fashion and other creative industry events featuring highly on the agenda. BL-NK will also operate as a periodic digital art gallery, curated by onedotzero.

Shane Walter, CEO and Creative Director of onedotzero, says: “Doing business in a challenging climate means you need all the support and opportunities you can muster to drive your business forward. The Hackney House concept is a highly revolutionary way to promote local businesses outwardly and also attract interest into the borough. onedotzero naturally wants to be aligned with this and has already benefitted from activities in London and Austin, Texas. The fact that this endeavour is lead by and instigated from the council is proof that if you think big you can challenge convention, aid a collective and collaborative spirit and deliver results."

Other partners for the project include POKE, Rocket Investments, Albion, Cube Space and C21. The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), are also supporting as partners and will undertake a role to document and comment on the ever-changing digital culture that surrounds us, both virtually and physically.