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Now that I’ve got my camera back (from being temporarily lost to a friend of a friend’s car… oops!) I can post this photo of Alex’s stunning audio installation in Hackney’s St Augustine’s Tower. This is what you found after walking up the very tiny spiral staircase, accompanied by the sound of a D minor chord which seemed to chase up the staircase beside you and then disappear off, only to return again a little while later. There were speakers installed in the ceiling of the staircase, and in some of the side chambers along the way. The source of the sound was revealed at the very top, alongside the bell (which rang just as I got to the top - wow! that is LOUD), by a customised record player which was not playing a record but consisted of 72 copper plates which were each connected to a speaker somewhere in the tower, and each speaker played the chord as the revolving copper brush made contact with it. All this was hooked up to a synthesiser, with the D minor chord held down by tape. This art installation was not only perfectly suited to the site, but the sculptural/audio creating element was so carefully constructed and considered. What makes Alex Baker’s audio installation and sculpture work stand out, is that he gives the elements which create the sound as much attention as the audio itself, so the work is aesthetically pleasing to both the eye and the ear.
Watch/listen to a video clip of the artwork (mpeg - 40 seconds)
More photos of A Recurring Sequence of Events on my Flickr stream
More about Alex Baker’s art on his website

This recipe is a variation of Rasa’s beetroot curry and it accompanied the huge beetroot we got in our Growing Communities veg box this week. Its something different to do with your beetroot and an unusual vegetable for currying. I’ve made it twice now - it is really delicious, but don’t try cutting any corners with the process; do push the pureed spring onion tops and pistachios through a sieve, and do cut the beetroot into matchsticks; I skipped this the first time round and the texture just wasn’t quite right.

Ingredients

• 500g Beetroot
• 50g shelled pistaschios
• 1 tsp yellow mustard seeds
• 6 cardamom pods
• 1tsp fennel seeds
• 3 fresh chillies
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 2 bunches spring onions
• 100g fresh coconut, grated
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 200ml plain yoghurt

Method

Boil the beetroots until tender and peel them under cold running water, then chop them into thick matchsticks. Toast the pistachios in the oven or on the hob. Crack the cardamom seeds and remove the seeds, discarding the pods. Slice the white ends of the spring onions and chop them finely. Drop the green ends into a pan of boiling water for a few seconds then plunge them into cold water. Chop them carsely and put them into a food processor with the pistachios, cardamom seeds and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and blend, adding a little cold water in a slow stream until you get a thick butsmooth puree. Pass this through a sieve, fine enough to take out any coarse pieces of scallian - into a small pan. Hlave the chillies lengthways, and chop them into slices. Heat another tablespoon of olive oil in a shallow pan and cook the sping onion white bits, the chillies, ginger, mustard and fennel seeds over a medium heat, stirring for 5 minutes, then add the beetroot and coconut and the pistachio and green onions paste, and cook for 5 more minutes. Season with salt and stir in the yoghurt just before you serve.

Rasa is a vegetarian South Indian restaurant on Stoke Newington Church street, Hackney, London N16

Click on the image to see the full version of our lounge/office/studio/shed/guest bedroom in our previous flat and you will understand why we have just moved. Photos of new place to compare with will be coming shortly!

Take part in the world’s first remotely choreographed riot. Hackney Empire, Fri 21st and Sat 22nd July. Download the video choreography and find out more following the link below.
Riot Pilot

Hackney Council is calling on Nike to compensate the young people of Hackney for their misappropriation of the Council’s logo for use on a World Cup range of sportswear.
Hackney Council News May 2006 - Hackney Logo Used By Nike

Website for the community occupation of 34 broadway market has more on Tony’s cafe’s plight. This campaign, part of a worldwide campaign to resist gentrification, has even found its way onto a Korean news site

Read with horror this well researched article by Hari Kunzru about the demise of Broadway Market in Hackney, brought to light this week with the occupation of an old caff destined for demoliton by developers. It all seems to stem from the infamous Hackney council corruption, though that came to a head a few years ago, the legacy of it is still being felt now.
www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1660371,00.html

HACKNEY GETS RIPPED OFF - AGAIN Background information about the Broadway market hostile take-over, explaining the disappearance of Little Georgia (no more fantastic perogie breakfasts!) and other businesses’