As part of their 'Radical Nature' season, the Barbican centre, London, have collected and displayed a range of art works and architectural pieces which explore nature, the changing planet, and our actions as humans within the natural order. Pieces which explore the beauty and wonder of nature are placed alongside ones that discuss civilisation and utopia. Until late October, visitors to the Barbican's in house gallery can view astonishing Land Art, photographs, plans and models of experimental architecture, and the concrete results of environmental activism.
As well as the monumental artworks on display, the Barbican have collaborated with the architectural collective EXYZT , to form one of the most interesting aspects of Radical Nature. EXYZT are a radical French architectural group whose speciality is taking over derelict spaces in the city and putting them to successful use- grappling with eye-sores, dark chunky spaces and swampy, oily land, they create environmental works that aim to reverse negative trends, putting defunct and neglected amenities to use for the community. Their renovation of the Southwark Lido brought to the empty pool complex a water deck, mobile sauna, paddling pool, beach huts and more.
With Radical Nature, the Barbican have ‘collaborated’ with EXYZT on the Dalston Mill- a fully functioning, sixteen metre high wind mill in East London’s Dalston. The site also contains a twenty metre long wheat field below the mill, presumably to be put to use under the grindstone. The field was conceived and created by the environmental artist Agnes Denes, after her 1982 original. The Dalston Mill is a bright, friendly and positive presence in Hackney.
The mill is reached from Dalston Junction, where it is a one minute walk from the bus stops. Directions can be found here . Walking down the gritty Dalston street, the mill is positioned off of the road; the tunnel-like entrance below a massive and ancient anti-nuclear mural, painted on the sheer face of a large grey building. The mill, complete with security guard/concierge, has wooden decking throughout, and large WCs. Stacks of leaflets sit on a table in the inner entrance. Two yellow deck chairs, stamped with the logo of the Southwark Lido project (recycled from the earlier EXYZT take-over), face the shivering and golden strip of wheat. After the wheat-field, the land drops slowly down to the amphitheatre, then grass, scrub, and brick. To the right lies industrial warehouses and yards, either used or unused. To the left, bricked-up spaces in a crumbling complex of wood and breeze block, gloss paint, handrails, teething windows. Graffiti on the neighbouring buildings. Point-making and political forms, painted by EXYZT (presumably), complete with Radiohead-style stick-men, sit beside the aggressive statements of the street-kid daubs- one particular piece, an angular line of lettering reading 'Kids With Knives', sits between the two camps, and could have been written by either tribe- the same handwriting as the EXYZT stuff, but the message and intent of the gang writing. Perhaps this is intentional, and the EXYZT crew are savvy in more arts than merely the architectural.
Whilst I am there, the windmill turns continuously. Sometimes speedily and forcefully. What looks like a coffee grinder sits at the bottom of the rotating axle. Volunteers/staff/activists man the bar and counters, with laptops and [East] African music on the ghetto blasters. Jars of 'bread tokens' (a local form of alternative currency, created at the mill), sign-up sheets for newsletters, information on local events. Tents erected on scaffolding, staggered halfway up the mill- for the volunteers to sleep, man the works overnight.
Utopian in ideals, the Dalston Mill site does however look odd (unsurprisingly), and whilst standing below it one gets the impression of post-apocalypse, Mad Max, or Waterworld. Perhaps this is part of the point? Again, EXYZT prove their insight and intelligence, raising questions even as they are trying to provide solutions.
A series of workshops, theatre performances, and artist talks have been scheduled throughout the summer. Some of the workshops so far have included designing cutlery and baking trays which were used for a dinner later that evening; 'urban psychoanalysis' sessions; and the 'Feral Trade Tea Service', featuring hand made tea from Bangladesh, and other delights, with a travel report tracking the products to their source. Talks with architects, discussing city space, were also a highlight.
The mill is well worth a visit, and a thin but steady stream came through during mine. As a break from the dust of Dalston, a community hub, or an all-London getaway, it seemed to work. With deck chairs, a bar, an amphitheatre and plenty of garden space, the mill is open daily from 2pm-10pm.
The nearest rail station is Dalston Kingsland; the buses 30, 38, 56, 67, 76, 149, 236, 242, 243, 277 all service the mill. Entrance is by the Peace Mural on Dalston Lane, between Ashwin Street and Hartwell Street, E8. Entrance is free.
I also recommend getting down to the Barbican Centre itself, for the truly spectacular architectural and artistic exhibits they have on show.
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This post was written by Patrick Leggory on August 17, 2009
