Popin’ Pete will be holding their launch party at our Project Space in Shoreditch on Wednesday 12th August. It is also United Nation’s International Youth Day so they will be having a whole day of celebrations with young people from Plymouth, Leeds, Nottingham and London.

They have recently returned from Leeds where they had over 200 people taking part, raising an impressive £300 for Macmillan Cancer. Check out their latest promo below, and for more information visit www.scannersinc.org

Our latest artist Jillian Eldridge who is currently exhibiting work at our Project Space in Shoreditch, will be holding a coffee and pastry event this Sunday 3rd August. Jillian is currently showcasing her beautiful paintings in our gallery, and it is a fantastic opportunity to meet her and discuss the artwork. It’s free entry and open between 11am and 1pm.

To find out more about Jillian’s work, visit her website www.jillianeldridge.co.uk

Every now and again it’s good to take oneself out of our comfort zones and discuss those taboo topics. A bit of toilet humour can’t hurt after all?

This little gem we stumbled across, should be a feature in every guest cloakroom.

A collaboration between that great French fashion label A.P.C. and the achingly beautiful skincare brand, Aesop. As with both their designs, it looks pretty good on the shelf and smells even better, with extracts of Ylang Ylang, mandarin peel and tangerine.

Just a few drops and you’re away…!

When you’re next checking out the Londonewcastle Project Space, pop into Aesop or APC as both have stores on Redchurch Street, Shoreditch.

50 Chefs – The Hands That Feed London at Londonewcastle Project Space Londonewcastle present to you this fantastic exhibition from photographer/artist Katie Wilson. Katie has worked on the project for over 10 years, accumulating images from London’s most famous Kitchens.

Focusing on the faces and hands of the chefs, Katie has managed to capture the scars and burns which tell of the hard work and dedication that is necessary to keep on top in the restaurant business. Not only are the photos of well known, famous chefs, but of the sous chefs who work so professionally behind the scenes to keep everything in order.

The black and white images allow you to concentrate and see all of the emotions that the chefs put into their cooking day after day. From cuts to dark circles, nothing is hidden in this truthful documentary of photographs. Open 3rd – 11th April, weekdays 12pm-7pm weekends 11am-6pm.

It took a bit of chat, but INSA has returned to Redchurch Street with a bang! Not on the inside with a gallery show, but the outside with a GIF-ITI creation to challenge the static norm. You need to download the GIF-ITI APP from the Apple Store then open it up and look at the artwork painted on the first floor of 28 Redchurch Street to see the piece come alive in front of your eyes.

“It goes without saying: INSA makes incredible GIF art murals. Previously, we’ve covered his apocalyptic GIF-ITI building, and his co- creation of the world’s largest GIF wall painting. Now, with his augmented reality app, GIF-ITI Viewer, you can watch INSA’s handmade creations reveal their full animated glory without ever having to leave the curb you’re standing on.” The Creator’s Project

“Taking the unique practice to the next level, INSA recently launched a mobile app called INSA’s GIF-ITI VIEWER that uses augmented reality technology allows you to see the graffiti move in the palm of your hand through your cell phone’s camera.” Complex Mag

GIF-ITI: THE BACKGROUND

Nowadays, we consume almost everything online: including art. The term GIF-ITI was coined by artist INSA when he started creating his unique animated paintings; an innovative approach to viewing and experiencing artworks produced in the public space.

In over two decades working as a graffiti artist, INSA’s work has been recognised globally for its technical complexity and innovation: in creating the GIF-ITI, INSA’s motivation was to create paradoxical artworks: pieces painted on the street that would only be experienced in full via online platforms, moving his murals to another dimension.

THE PROCESS

INSA’s GIF-ITI are created through a laborious physical process: it’s all about the challenge. INSA will repaint a wall anything up to 12 times, photographing each ‘layer’ as he goes. This has included anything from painting and repainting the entire side of an 8-storey building in a monsoon in Taiwan, to painting 72 skulls next to the Seine in Paris, or spending 5 days in the jungle in Gambia painting a marabout’s mud hut.

With the labour done, INSA heads back to the studio: this is the tense moment in the process, when the artist discovers if the GIF works. Putting all the images together he produces the final artwork, which is then released back to the public space online.

For the artist, the whole process itself goes back to the uncertain status of artwork today: where creations appear and are consumed in nanoseconds, living in an infinite time and space of the immortal internet.

THE GIF-ITI VIEWER APP

Following the widespread success of INSA’s GIF-ITI work worldwide, the London-based artist has been developing his first ever app to interact with his artwork.

Available now to download in beta-version, the GIF-ITI app allows the user to direct their smartphone (currently only Apple) at the static painted wall and see it come to life in its fully animated format. A map showing the locations worldwide adds another element of interactivity, allowing viewers to hunt down INSA’s special GIF-ITI walls IRL.

INSA’s GIF-ITI app is a natural evolution of the artist’s explorations of the interaction between the digital and physical worlds, specifically in relation to artistic practice and new technological developments. The app brings the paradox full circle: taking his hyperreal GIF-ITI art back out into the street.

For those unable to visit the wall locations in person, INSA has also uploaded a selection of static images of his GIF-ITI paintings online. The viewer at home can use the app by directing their smartphone at their laptop. See the VIEWABLE WALLS page at www.gif-iti.com

MORE ABOUT INSA

INSA is an internationally renowned artist based in London, UK. His output includes diverse media from installations to products. His work has exhibited at galleries and museums around the world including the Tate Britain, London. He has worked with select major brands, producing signature products for Nike, Evisu, Warsteiner & more.

GIF-ITI.COM GIF-ITI.TUMBLR.COM

Guerrilla Zoo in association with the University of East London is proud to present an exclusive screening of the film

KILL YOUR DARLINGS Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHaan and Ben Foster + Special Q&A with the film director and co-writer JOHN KROKIDAS

Saturday 30th August 2014 from 6.30pm - 11pm

UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON - DOCKLANDS - LONDON

KILL YOUR DARLINGS is based on true events and characters : While he is attending Columbia University in 1944, the young Allen Ginsberg’s life is turned upside down when he sets eyes on Lucien Carr who opens Ginsberg up to a bohemian world and introduces him to William S. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac. Repelled by rules and conformity in both life and literature, the four agree to tear down tradition and make something new, ultimately formulating the tenets of and giving birth to what became the Beat movement. On the outside, looking in, is David Kammerer, a man in his thirties desperately in love with Carr. When Kammerer is found dead, and Kerouac, Burroughs, and Carr are arrested in conjunction with the murder, the nascent artists’ lives change forever.

Daniel Radcliffe fearlessly takes on the role of the young Ginsberg on a journey of discovery—to find his sexuality and his voice as a writer. Co-writer and director John Krokidas takes on this less-explored early chapter of the Beats and captures the period with visual flair, kinetic energy, and imagination. Kill Your Darlings is the riveting true story of a crime, a friendship, and the nexus that spawned a cultural movement.

Watch the trailer: http://youtu.be/aEr8Ogdm-3I

“Sex, lies, betrayal and murder set among the gods of the Beat Generation. That’s Kill Your Darlings, a dark beauty of a film that gets inside your head and stays there.” – Rolling Stone

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Brought to you in association with University of East London

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: INFORMATION:

LOCATION: Main Lecture Theatre (MLT), University of East London, Docklands Campus, University Way, London E16 2RD INFO: www.guerrillazoo.com/kill-your-darlings-screening-with-director-john-krokidas PRICE: £14 / £10 Students

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PART OF WILLIAM S BURROUGHS : ANIMALS IN THE WALL An exhibition showcasing a new side to Burroughs’ exciting artworks Info : www.guerrillazoo.com/william-s-burroughs

Eagle eyed readers will have spotted the entry for the Animals in The Wall exhibition opening on Friday this week at Londonewcastle Project Space. For those that missed it, here it is. And for more info, visit the page in our Arts Programme section here.

William S Burroughs is recognised as one of the most culturally influential writers and visionaries of the 20th Century and his legacy continues to steer world culture and creative thinking. A progenitor of the Beat Generation, his writing and ideas changed literature forever.

Burroughs’ multi-media collaborations spawned new directions in film and music and his art is only now being properly discovered and explored. His works come alive in new ways each day and his legacy is constantly evolving.

‘Animals in the Wall’ exhibition showcases a new side to Burroughs’ exciting work and premieres at Londonewcastle Project Space in Shoreditch, East London before going on a two year world tour.

Featuring 40 original William S Burroughs art works including some never before shown, plus contributing artists including :

Shepard Fairey | Brion Gysin | Matt Black (of Coldcut) Cleon Peterson | Ben Frost | Aaron Brookner Yuri Zupancic | Gaston Ugalde | Terry Wilson Jon Blumb | Mobstr | Paul Don Smith | Philip Heying Oliver Switch | Lana Alana | Dreamachine Ft Gorilla Perfume

In addition to an exciting programme of talks, film screenings and workshops.

More information here.

It’s The Catlin Art Prize’s 3rd year at Londonewcastle’s project space on Redchurch Street…

With fresh graduates and emerging artists from across the UK, the exhibition is always going to be out of the ordinary and this year is no exception.

The seven finalists have cleverly utilised the space, transforming the gallery in ways that that are difficult to appreciate unless you’re there (nonetheless);

Justin Hammond, Curator of the The Catlin Art Prize has firmly established the award as one of the most essential and serious BA and MA Fine Art graduate prizes in the whole of the UK. Each year, Justin curates what are, in his view, the next challenging artists across the UK.

To visit the exhibition and place your vote, head down to the gallery by 24th May.

The Oasis exhibition at the Londonewcastle Project Space in Shoreditch has been one the most successful exhibitions since we opened the gallery over five years ago.

People from all over the UK - and Europe - have travelled to see iconic photographs of Oasis taken during the Brit-Pop years of the mid-90s - and a full-size mock-up of the Burnage flat pictured in the band’s debut Definitely Maybe (where you could recreate your own album cover).

We were even lucky to have an impromptu visit from former band members Liam Gallagher and Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthur on the opening night - Bonehead telling NME, “We didn’t get to see [the exhibition] - we got f**kin’ mobbed.” Media and fan frenzy then ensued throughout the opening.

Rare images, memorabilia and artefacts were featured in this the first ever solo exhibition of the band’s seminal moments, gathered under the title: Chasing the Sun: Oasis 1993-1997. It follows the band’s rise from the streets of Manchester to international rock stardom and legendary gigs at Glastonbury and London’s 100 Club.

We are proud to have played a small part in bringing this Champagne Super Nova to Shoreditch.

Gemma White in partnership with none other than the Wu-Tang Clan is bringing a Hip-Hop homage to the Gallery on Redchurch Street.

The doors open tonight at 6pm (free entry - no RSVP necessary). Expect a road-block.

We are very excited and cannot wait to see the work dedicated to Wu Tang’s 20th anniversary of the release the iconic album “Enter the Wu-Tang 36 Chambers”. The exhibition celebrates the influence Wu-Tang Clan’s music, lyrics and legacy has had on art, illustration, fashion, film-making and graffiti. Over 40 artists will be showing their work and with Wu -Tang tweeting and blogging about the exhibition we expect a lot of interest and entertainment!

The exhibition is open until the 14th March, daily from 11am - 6pm. More info…

See you all later!

ReWorKing: ReWorKing is about Re-Thinking Fashion - and is a timely reminder of the waste in the industry as LFW swings into town once more.

The project/ exhibition represents a collaboration between ReWorKs CIC – A Social Enterprise with a purpose to reduce the volume of textiles heading to landfill and the University of the Creative Arts. ReWorKs mission is to make a positive and sustainable impact to reducing these volumes based on intelligence gathered from a decade of re-purposing textile waste. ReWorKs targets volume solutions that can be adopted by society as a whole not just the super fashionable or mega wealthy buyers. ReWorKs target partner is a buyer or network collaborator just like you!

The exhibition represents what’s possible from surplus deadstock textiles as well as representing both a sustainable process for upcycling, fashion design and industry – university collaboration.

The raw materials were all drawn from ReWorKs Trading Ltd – A Textile recycling processor and distributor of vintage clothing. The garments were constructed using only unsaleable items.

In the Textiles Hierarchy the prime aim is to Reduce, then Re-use, then Recycle… in reality there are a few more Rs that are used – e.g. ReWorKing.

ReWorKs approach is to Reduce consumption through educating and marketing support.

If you’re walking down Redhcurch Street over the Frieze Art Fair, this wall mural means you’ve arrived at the EREBUS show presented by James Lavelle’s Daydreaming Projects.

Erebus Exhibition Mural outside the gallery

For details about the show and opening hours, click here.

With the start of the Frieze Art Fair in sight, last night the guys from daydreaming projects opened their door at our gallery at Redchurch Street to present Erebus an exhibition of new works by Warren du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones.

The name EREBUS takes our thoughts to darkness and the underworld, as it stems from Greek Mythology. Upon entering the venue you have various choices, the walls are used to show the brilliant photography pieces but in addition there is also a 13 minute film.

The central 13-­‐minute film in the exhibition is a response to Maliphant’s full-­‐length contemporary dancework. The Rodin Project that was inspired by the great French sculptor’s oeuvre and performed at Sadler’s WellsTheatre in London and The Joyce Theatre in New York in 2012.

Maliphant’s dancers won global plaudits for their monumental performances and can be seen in the film. A multi-­‐award winning creative team who worked on the film also include director of photography Tim Morris Jones, editor Xavier Perkins, art director Robin Brown, musician James Lavelle, and costume designer Stevie Stewart.

You should definitely stop by during Frieze and get inspired by this insightful and entertaining piece

No need to book and no entry fee.

At the end of a hot summer of street art, there seemed to be one (flank) wall on Ebor Street looking sorry for itself. Shame as it’s very visible from nearby BOXPARK (grab a burger outside of Bukowski and you’ll see what we mean). Shame no more.

After a quick call from a friendly agent, ABOVE dropped by on his way through London and go look what he did…

Hopefully Dean and Alex and all the crew from ‘C on C’ will approve.

It’s all looking rather international on the block - what with the UK, USA (x2), Australia (via Berlin), Beligium and Germany now presented.

More above ABOVE? See here…

Street artist Andy Seize has ditched the street for his first gallery show at Londonewcastle Project Space. The show features a range of work from the hard-working artist and genuine nice guy. Crucially it shows the artist’s first forays into 3-dimensional art in the form of custom car models and a huge reproduction of an underground train carriage crash landed in gallery 3.

The tube car is great idea, but leaves one wishing that he’d gone the whole hog and dressed up the space to replicate a platform with mock tube posters and Transport for London signage. With seats inside and some piped in sounds the experience could’ve been truly immersive, but perhaps a bit cheesy too. Whatever, it’s a great way to use the space and get people to walk through the art to experience it in the round.

Regardless, my favourite pieces are the car models (which took the artist 5 weeks each to make by hand and are available to buy for a cool £5,000 each), which really add something to the show - though they are cartoon-like in form, they don’t feature the usual Seize-style artwork in colourful splendour. May they mark a turning point for the artist in the future?

Who knows? What I do know is the show is on now and the bright white walls contrasted with the vibrant artworks makes a change for recent shows which have tended to take themselves quite seriously. So if you want some light relief from looking cool and Shoreditch, head here for some light relief.

The show runs daily until 22nd August. Click here for full details and opening times.

Despite the fact the show is nearing its end, there is still time to offer a review on what has passed. Largely because it would be remiss not to give this fine exhibition some due respect. Curated by respected agent Hobby Limon of TAG Fine Arts, this solo show of Stephen Walter’s work benefits from a little time spent indoors away from the simmering heat of Shoreditch’s summer streets.

Alongside his now-famous and incredibly detailed maps of London sits other more abstract works which reveal the inner workings of this fine contemporary artist.

But there’s no doubt that after a play with the imaginative APP and beautifully crafted Victorian viewing magnifier, visitors will be drawn to the collage of individually framed areas of London from the mammoth Nova Utopia work, to search out their own neighbourhood and see what the artist has to say…

The exhibition continues until Sunday 28th July @ Londonewcastle Project Space.

Thursday afternoon and the sun was still beaming down gloriously on London. Just the spotlight our Shoreditch Gallery needed for the opening night of ‘Three Acts of Will’. Artist Jeff Robb fused holograms for his latest offering.

Despite Pimms jugs and after work drinks calling most to the pub, the turnout filled the gallery from wall to wall with art enthusiasts. I moved through the gallery experiencing the exhibition precisely as it was titled - in three acts. Apart from a visual element there was also audio which is controlled by how you move in the room.

Esteemed art paper METRO kicked off the flood of coverage due on Jeff Robb’s new show opening (to Private View only, sorry) at Londonewcastle Project Space this evening.

Word of warning to people interested in the show - which opens its doors ot the public on the 7th and runs daily from 11am - 7pm until 13th June, if you head on foot or search for “The Gallery, Shoreditch” on Google you will end up at a residential development on Commercial Road. Don’t do it! Turn round and head back to Redchurch Street, No.28 to be precise.

Full details of the show here.

Correct location details here.

Queue’s around the block on a Friday lunchtime? We smell another massive YMC, Folk and Oliver Spencer Sample Sale in the air. And so it proves, after good captain Russ opens up the doors early for a sneaky peek and a bit of retail therapy.

Minutes later we emerge blurry eyed and with heavy hands: a selection of boots, bags, shorts, tees, trousers and ties all neatly folded into brown paper bags by the helpful crew inside. If you are a fan of these iconic fashion brands then don’t miss - it’s only on for the weekend.

Best thing? £1 entry fees will be passed onto our favourite charity, Providence Row. So get spending.

Full details here.

The Catlin Art Prize 2013 reached an exciting climax with the announcement of this year’s overall winner and the visitor’s vote winner to a packed gallery audience.

Terry Ryu Kim took top honours and won a £5,000 prize for her installation “Screening Solution I, II and III”:

Judge Ceri Hand commented: “We selected Terry Ryu Kim because the work – ideas, materials, execution and installation – felt mature, concise, pertinent and unique. It draws on public spaces and speaks of intimacy, control, collective identity and the fragmentation of the self. It is a haunting, beautiful work”.

The panel of judges –Turner Prize nominated Dexter Dalwood, gallerist and curator Ceri Hand, and collector Valeria Napoleone – also commended the other artists for producing a strong and committed selection of new works.

Visitors once again had the opportunity to vote for their favourite artist and they did so in great numbers - via ballot box and online. The £2,000 prize put up by sponsor Catlin went to media favourite Juno Calypso for her kitsch and unsettling, yet strangely erotic photographs of staged scenes in which she performs under the guise of a character called Joyce.

Organiser Peter Allen reflected on the show, “It’s been great to work with curator Justin Hammond and the team once again this year and my thanks extend to the continued support by sponsor Catlin. The show is truly exciting and the work rate of the artists - especially the marathon performance by Nicky Deeley - is astonishing.

Because of Justin’s vision and resulting quality of new talent on display, this is a must-see show on the London art calendar. It’s a key showcase for the best new talent - and the fact that in a direct head-to-head review by Time Out with the Saatchi ‘New Order’ show across town, Catlin was awarded four stars and Saatchi two is a big compliment. The point is not the score, but the comparison itself - to share the same page with such a respected organisation is a massive validity for all the hard work.”

The show continues until 4pm on Sunday 26th May. Click here for full details.

It’s nearly the end of May in London, but it could be winter. I stumble my way down to a wet and dreary Shoreditch High Street, having successfully negotiated the stressful London underground rush-hour crush. Umbrella up and head down I make my way across the street, only vaguely aware of groups of young men deep in conversation, apparently staring at walls in the lane which leads to my destination.

I arrive. I can’t find the entrance. A woman stands in a dark alcove. She is dressed in a dusty overall, and expertly holds a cigarette between her lips in a pose which I instantly recognise as being based on a sitcom character whose name, just for the moment, escapes me. I ask her where the entrance is, She’s never heard of the place.

I step back from the pavement on to the street, narrowly missing an elderly cyclist with a soggy baguette under one arm. The whole wall against which the smoking women stands is bright yellow, contrasting bizarrely with the dark graffiti-laden walls of the adjacent buildings. Then I see it. As she turns, the alcove reveals a door and, next to the door in precise but small lettering it says ‘Catin Art Prize - until 26 May’.

I am at the Londonewcastle’s Project Space to meet Peter Allen, marketing manager of the property development company which describes itself as “one of London’s top design-led residential-focussed mixed-use property developers”. Peter has not arrived. The friendly receptionist invites me to have a wander around and offers to look after my dripping umbrella. Low lighting and ominous sounds fill the first space which opens up to reveal another, then another and yet another. As I explore, I can’t decide whether this feels more like an old-fashioned mechanical ghost train or a modern multimedia exhibition. What I do know is that it feels like a journey.

I see a wall of TVs showing a young women in a white gown climbing over bricks, bizarre screens where I catch glimpses of myself at different angles and colours, what appears to be an old school room with a large Sesame Street-like elephant, an amazing light show and am confused if the effect is achieved by lasers or by wire, a strangely peaceful video of a group of men operating model trains, a bright gallery containing a pixellated stained glass window and oil cans, and an eclectic collection of large photographs and paintings.

Peter is back at the entrance, having managed to expertly negotiate the sudden closure of an underground line. He introduces me to Justin Hammond, Catlin Art Prize Curator. Justin explains that some 40 artists were selected for this year’s prize of which nine were shortlisted are are displaced in the month-long exhibition at Project Space, The Catlin Prize was set up in 2007 to give UK artists a support system for at least a year after leaving college and this is its second year at Project Space. Justin says that he really likes the venue because the Londonewcastle managers are very supportive and do not attach unnecessary conditions. This year, for example, he has been able to construct several walls and put in additional lighting. The only condition is that he returns the space to its original state.

Justin takes me back into the galleries. He explains that his aim is to bring west-end production values and museum standards to the event. He describes the year-long process of finding the best artists, supporting them to produce work for the prize, organizing the shortlist and displaying their work to best effect. He is warm with his praise for Londonewcastle as he finds that they, like him, want to develop a relationship of trust and are keen to work with him in a partnership rather than see themselves as simply hiring out a gallery space.

I don’t think I have ever been fortunate enough to have been given a personal guided tour of any exhibition by its curator. And of course Justin has not just been gathering and exhibiting works of art - he has been actively involved with the artists, supporting them both financially and with advice and ensuring that individual artists are displayed to their best advantage and that the experience works as a whole. He describes it as ‘a journey’ - yes, I am delighted. But my credibility takes a dive, I think, when I liken the journey through the carefully assembled exhibits to walking along an Ikea store’s prescribed buying route.

Justin carefully talks me through each artist’s work and highlights the two prize winners - Terry Ryu Kim winner of the 2013 Catlin Art Prize for his “Screening Solution I, II and III”, and Juno Calypso for her unsettling and strangely erotic photographs who was winner of the visitor vote among the several thousand people who attended the exhibition.

And on the way back out, the elephant walks! I see that it’s not actually an elephant but, wonderfully, the artist Nicky Deeley who has performed in five costumes every day, all day of the exhibition’s 30 day run.

Before I brave the London rain, I have time to ask Peter why Londonewcastle run Project Space. He tells me that the company’s ethos is to develop design-led properties which have inspiring, vibrant environments and that promoting arts, and particularly new artists, matters a lot to the them. Londonewcastle’s aim with their arts programme, he says, is to provide environments donated for artists’ use, reducing the financial burden on new creative talent. Their programme also supports street art by providing large canvases for local, regional, national and international artists; established, emerging, infamous or just unknown.

A quick look at the Project Space programme for the rest of the year shows a bewildering variety of painting, drawing and photography exhibitions by solo artists, mixed media events, performance and street and fashion and design shows. I question Peter about Londonewcastle’s apparent low profile in support the arts. He recognizes that this may seem a little strange this but says that its just how they go about their business.

Happily when I leave Project Space after a wonderful two hours, the rain has eventually stopped. I’m almost at the station when I remember that I have forgotten my umbrella. On my way back I see Peter talking to one of the groups I had seen earlier, taking photographs of a large colourful mural on one of the walls. Peter shouts me over and introduces me to James Reka, a well known street artist from Melbourne. Reka has just finished his latest work on one of Londonewcastle’s buildings next to Project Space. He says that he is is extremely happy with his work and is full of praise for Londonewcastle’s support. He points out other large works on adjoining buildings by renowned artists Roa Hedgehog and Ben Eine.

I finally leave Project Space, the Catlin Prize and Shoreditch High Street, surprised and impressed with what is happening and at the skill and enthusiasm of those involved. And there is so much going on; so many ideas, so much dedication. My mind races as I eventually board the train for my journey home, only to discover that, in my excitement, I have forgotten my umbrella a second time.

If you can’t wait, here’s a sneak preview of Jeff Robb’s ‘Three Acts of Will’ show that will be exhibiting at Londonewcastle Project Space in Shoreditch between 5th and 12th June only.

The show will be the first ever exhibition for holographic sculpture, an entirely new 21st century art form invented by the British artist.

More details of the show here.

A full review to follow once the show opens!

You might have noticed, if you read Time Out, decent newspapers and find yourself on Redchurch Street of a weekend, that there’s a kid on the block. He isn’t new. In fact, he/ she/ them are 7 this year. And there’s 9 of them. And they are shining so very brightly this year.

It’s May, which means it’s Catlin Art Prize time. Time to visit, time to ponder, time to vote.

But this year, time to wonder too. Behind the simple glazed doors on the artfully graff’ed street (this ain’t Mayfair), you enter a perfectly executed labyrinth displaying the hottest new artists, selected by the ever upbeat but deadly-eyed curator Justin Hammond.

The very best of installation, sculpture, painting, performance, video (sometimes all in one artist’s oeuvre) are here as you navigate the galleries. Don’t skip past Fatma Bucak’s video work of a woman toiling over ruins in an unknown town as you enter.

Ponder on the translucent screens that you pass through - like a traveller in airport security perhaps - in Terry Ryu Kim’s work Screening Solution I, II and III before you are hit by David Ogle’s lasers.

Stumble forward into the dream/ nightmare that is Nicky Deeley’s fantastical performance piece;

Take a breather with Robert Crosse’s fascinating Folkstone Model Railway Club which looks - reverentially I felt - at communal activity;

And then emerge into gallery#3 and Bee Griffith’s arresting nudes, juxtaposed with Steve Allan’s targicomedy banana-man paintings and Conall McAteer’s contemporary pixelated version of Notre Dame cathedral’s north rose window.

And we haven’t even mentioned the media’s star of the show, Juno Calypso. Go and see what all the fuss is about yourself.

Open until 26th May at Londonewcastle Project Space. Full details here.

All images courtesy and copyright Peter Hope www.peterhope.eu

After an initial meeting over a year ago, last Thursday the super creative girls from Patternity Anna Murray and Grace Winteringham opened the doors of the Londonewcastle Project Space in Shoreditch to launch their first exhibition-cum-festival SuperStripe: “A cultural festival of pattern exploration.”

The title of the exhibition really lives up to its name - as they have transformed the space into a superlative pattern festival. One never normally pays attention to the patterns we come across in our day to day, but this exhibition focuses and celebrates the pattern, raising the status of the humble stripe to SuperStripe status.

The exhibition is a mixture of pieces from the Patternity Studio archive and collaborations with artists throughout the creative industries, including photography, fashion and video.

As you enter, a huge monochrome wall graphic decorates the space and leads you in. It’s a great introduction to the exhibition which underlines Paternity’s principle of the power of Patterns. In the second gallery, along with sculptural items from everyday life on podiums there is the opportunity to do some weaving - fun, original and witty. (weaving is the new sewing - you read it here first).

A short film pulls you into gallery three, but don’t miss the pop-up shop in-between which showcases unique and original collaborations between the brand and fashion, design and homewares specialists.

Overall, the show is spot on and extremely well-timed as Fashion Houses have exploded with pattern this season. The production values are epic - at times you feel like you could be in the V&A not Shoreditch (in a good way).

On top of all of this there’s an incredibloe schedule of events,m workshops and talks planned too. Click here to download.

The show runs to 21st April, daily. Click here for details.

Can’t wait until the talk on 17th April co-chaired by Patternity and Lily Silverton, Fashion Features Editor at POP Magazine? Nope, nor could we. Hence here is the chance to watch the slick short ‘When Stripes Collide’ produced in the space where the exhibition will be held from Saturday 6th.

Read more about the short on POP.

If this gets you baying for more, then cool - come along to the talk where practitioners from the worlds of fashion, film, art and design will be discussing and exploring pattern in their work.

Click here for tickets.

With scant days to go before the opening of PATTERNITY’s inaugural Pattern Power/ SuperStripe show - a series of exhibitions, workshops,talks and events exploring pattern in all its guises - the events calendar has now been published and bookings are being taken.

There’s everything from science lectures to stripey jelly-making classes (with Bompas & Parr) between 6th and 21st April at Londonewcastle Project Space, on Redcchurch Street in Shoreditch. Click here to see and download your own schedule. I’m looking forward to the yoga session, ‘When Stripes Collide’ short film and talk co-chaired by Lily Silverton of POP and the Late Night Patterns in Sound event.

Here’s a sneaky peek inside from the set up…

Visitors will be immersed in an intriguing and tactile world of stripes as Patternity transport their iconic curation and ethos of ‘celebrating pattern everywhere - from the mundane to the magnificent’ boldly into the real world. For more information on the show, visit the page in the Arts Programme section of the site.

And remember… The exhibition remains open to the public when workshops are taking place so feel free to visit the show at any time during 12 - 7pm daily.

Review events and book via the Eventbrite platform - click here for info and the full list.

The Catlin Art Prize 2013, now in its seventh year, is an annual exhibition that feature the most exciting art graduates in the UK one year on from their degree shows. This year’s exhibition will be held back at Londonewcastle Project Space from 2nd – 26th May 2013 and will showcase brand new work by 8 artists, each chosen for their potential to make a significant impact in the art world over the next decade and beyond. The prize is unique in offering a framework for artists to develop a new body of work during the first year out of art school. Each artist receives a bursary to support their progress. The Catlin Art Prize 2013 finalists are: - Steven Allan (Royal College of Art) - Fatma Bucak (Royal College of Art) - Juno Calypso (London College of Communication) - Robert Crosse (Slade School of Fine Art) - Nicky Deeley (Royal College of Art) - Bee Griffith (Goldsmiths) - Terry Ryu Kim (Slade School of Fine Art) - Conall McAteer (Central St Martins) - David Ogle (Lancaster University).

Justin Hammond, Art Catlin curator, comments: “From David Ogle’s light sculpture to Nicky Deeley’s marathon performance piece, this particular exhibition is designed to celebrate diversity rather than draw tenuous parallels or proclaim some kind of new art movement. It’s a very strong line-up, but perhaps this latest chapter will demand more from the viewer than in previous years.” A panel of judges will award one artist with a prize of £5,000 at a private ceremony on 22nd May. The 2013 judges are: - Former Turner Prize nominee Dexter Dalwood - Art gallery director Ceri Hand - Renowned collector Valeria Napoleone. The public also have the opportunity to take part in the ‘Visitor Vote’ and pick their favourite artist in the exhibition. Votes can be cast on www.artcatlin.com and via a ballot box at the show. The winner is awarded £2,000. Previous finalists have gone on to feature in major exhibitions in the UK and internationally. 2013 winner, Julia Vogl has since completed a number of public commissions, including HOME, a multi-coloured public living room constructed in Peckham during the London Olympics. She was recently selected alongside Martin Creed, Gavin Turk, and Jake and Dinos Chapman to take part in Museums at Night 2013. Last year’s recipient of the Visitor Vote, Adeline de Monseignat, has enjoyed a string of London shows and is now represented by Ronchini Gallery.

Last Thursday, Jonathan Ellery opened the doors of the Londonewcastle Project Space on Redchurch Street for the private viewing of his new exhibition ‘The Hen House’. The artist has transformed the gallery into a beautifully lit space and installed his themed minimalistic artwork.

Gallery One exhibits 2 pieces of his stunning artwork decorating the wall. This room brings to the forefront Ellery’s interest in light and contrast. The photographs are an unfolding narrative.

Gallery Two has three iron and steel rings on the floor. Ellery’s construction of this room allows the viewer to work through his awareness of the absurd.

And in Gallery Three, the focus is on five large format machined brass sculptures hanging from the wall. How it is installed gives this series a narrative, it is deceptive in its simplicity but gives the work a continuation. Once again the overriding theme is of beauty and class.

We were lucky to have Keaton Henson at the gallery recently to create some original art that will be/ has been chopped into 196 pieces and distributed with his new Limited “Birthdays” deluxe CD.

The CD also features 3 bonus tracks, an extended booklet, a fold-out art print and the aforementioned hand-painted piece of art. The CD, obviously, is limited to 196 units and can be bought online here.

www.keatonhenson.com

We got a sneaky peak behind the scenes at the show opening tonight at Londonewcastle Project Space. We don’t want to spoil it for you, but can confirm that the gallery is packed with cool, original artworks by Toxic - the only surviving member of an influential group, whose story is told using the narrative of exclusive film, music, art and mixed media from and featuring all three members of The Hollywood Africans (Toxic, Rammellzee and Jean-Michel Basquiat).

This exhibition puts all three friends and artists together into a historical context with previously unseen film footage and photographs. The title ‘Last of the Hollywood Africans’ refers directly to Toxic, who as we’ve said, is the last surviving member of the group. Just before Basquiat’s untimely death Toxic moved to Italy. He has also travelled around Europe, taking his art and music with him. He has since returned to New York after stints in Paris, where he continues to create new work.

So, it’s a show not to miss. If you want to know more about the trio, read FAD’s great preview. If you want to see what the bar looks like, that’s easy. Here it is.

Exhibition continues to 24th February. Click here for information.

Londonewcastle Project Space in Shoreditch last weekend hosted the UK presentation of an ultimate Porsche 911 - as conceived by Singer of California, USA. The car is one of only a handful built-to-order by hand beauties in existence and the first time one had set foot in Europe. We opened up our doors and had the car on display after the filming, but before appearing on Top Gear this coming weekend.

This totally re-engineered car by Singer Vehicle Design created a real buzz amongst invitees - who were treated to the simultaneous appearance of a mint (Gulf Blue actually) 1973 2.8 RSR (worth a cool £1m apparently). The Singer car has a custom specification, but can typically cost around US $350,000 we are told.

The owner of this vehicle is one lucky soul - what a stunning interpretation of the car of the century.

Read the Top Gear review.

Photography: Copyright Classic Driver www.classicdriver.com

We got chatting with a nice lady a few months back at the Lazarides show about the possibility of (now internationally) acclaimed artist EINE returning to Ebor Street in Shoreditch to refresh the ANTI ANTI ANTI work he did a few years back.

Well, it’s taken a while, but he is here and smashing it once again (no surprise). Here’s a glimpse of the work in progress…

More pics to follow once the work is finished.

We’ve just received this link to a compilation of the videos from the “Face to Face” installation presented by acclaimed photographer Tom Oxley at Londonewcastle Project Space back in October 2012.

If you missed the show, it’s a great snap shot which we hope will lead you to further investigation - if you visit Tom’s stunning website (click her for link) there is a whole host of longer videos to discover.

This is a concept that’s going to run and run and we here that Oxley is working on new material to present to the public later in the year. Don’t miss next time.

All visual content ©Thomas Oxley Photography.

www.tomoxley.com

This month Londonewcastle Project Space is hosting a multi-media exhibition to celebrate the first ten years of the independent publisher Trolley Books, a maverick independent publisher of photography, reportage, contemporary art and recently, literature in their original home of Shoreditch.

The exhibition, running over two weekends contains previously unseen material from the making of the books, including personal images, contact sheets and photographers’ recollections, documenting the unique stories from each book and the importance of this small but potent publishing house and paves the way for the new book publication later in the Spring TROLLEYOLOGY.

The exhibition brings together Trolley photographers such as Nan Goldin, Alex Majoli, Stanley Greene, Paolo Pellegrin, Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin, Tom Stoddart, Nina Berman, Thomas Dworzak, Alixandra Fazzina, Robin Maddock, and Jamie Morgan took on a far greater significance in honoring the late Gigi Gianuzzi, the founder of trolley books who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last June and passed away on December 24th.

Previously in September 2012, an art auction entitled Situation Gigi, including works donated by Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and the Chapman Brothers, raised around £230,000 towards Gigi’s alternative cancer treatment in a Munich clinic.

In 2001, Gigi found financial backing to start a new company, based in Venice. Trolley got its name when Giannuzzi used a shopping cart to push his book proposals around the floor of the Frankfurt Book Fair. Eventually Gigi settled in Shoreditch.

Giannuzzi championed photography that examined issues of social justice and blurred the line between documentary and art with his many of his books touching on the abuse of power by tyrannical regimes.

His first book Open Wounds highlighted the human rights violations imposed on the indigenous Chechen population by the soviet republic between 1994 and 2003 with images that convey a harrowing, very personal account inspired and powered by the sheer anger of the photographer. It fits into the category coined by Martin Bell: “the Journalism of Attachment” in which, rather than trying to provide the unobtainable objective approach, an issue is presented, identifying it as fundamentally wrong and demanding notice be taken of it in the broader world. Giannuzzi was concerned with drawing attention to the ethnic cleansing and displacement of half a million civilians in Chechnya and felt he could better accomplish this through powerful imagery.

More recently “Yes To A Rosy Future” documents Nicolas Rigghettis stay in Damascus and highlights the Orwellian subjugation of Bashar Al Assad’s Syrian dictatorship on its citizens through Assads omnipresence which permeates the Syrian urban streetscape with the despotic leaders smiling face seen throughout on copious campaign posters. “Yes To A Rosy Future” was the political slogan for Assads 2007 election campaign which was presumably chosen as the title by the author with a sense of indignant irony.

Other books by Trolley have highlighted issues such as the war in Iraq, expropriation of natural resources in Nigeria, the consequences of war in Vietnam and the legacy of Chernobyl.

The exhibit which takes place between January 18th- 27th offers an aesthetically stimulating opportunity to sample some of Gigis best work in addition to hearing from some of his closest collaborators about his unique personality and inspiring approach.

More information on the exhibition.

The Londonewcastle Project Space is now closed for Christmas, but it’s been an interesting year. Kicking off with the UK Barista Championships in January and ending with the Scratch Expo 17 hip-hop-cum-art-gallery retrospective in December.

The tardis-like gallery with no sign outside has managed to pull them in all year and visitors have been treated to a taxidermy horse holding a bean bag, a fully mocked up hotel room, moving portraits of today’s hottest music acts, a room full of gherkins, Blur, The Stone Roses, Batman (and family), wall to wall booty, Chinese fashion, rock star Art and some strong negronis served by Milanese Bar royalty. And that’s not the half of it…

The schedule is now full and back to back from January through to the end of August and we’ve got some hot proposals vying for space for the rest of 2013, but there are gaps… So if you’re reading this and you think you’ve got something interesting to say, now’s the time to think about putting pen to paper and submitting a proposal. Show Me what you’ve got…

Following the recent show at Londonewcastle Project Space, artist Heidi Locher spoke to London Real about the show.

During the interview, the artist gives us an insight into the thinking behind the show:

“Anyone can go in there and get something from it … this is a bunch of ideas, see what you think. Does it have resonance [for you]? Does it make you think beyond your everyday?”

This is an excerpt of a longer interview with London Real. Click here to watch it on YouTube.

Following the earlier entry, here is a video of the panel discussion, “Real-Life Solutions to Financial Viability” that was held at Goldsmiths at the end of November. Robert Soning was there to discuss the Londonewcastle Art Programme and our contribution to the art scene in London.

Other speakers on the panel hosted and moderated by ALISN director Iavor Lubomirov included:

• Julia Alvarez, Director of Bearspace, and South London Art Map

• Victoria Browne, Founder of KALEID editions

• Will Lunn, Director of Sumarria Lunn

ALISN will be at the London Art Fair in January 2013 where they are taking over three booths and making them affordable to artist-led galleries and projects. Visit the main show in booth P29, with films taking part in the film programme booth P28 next door, as well as performance art in the Talks & Discussions Theatre near the cafe in the atrium.

Camera, sound and editing: Helena Doyle

After the successful exhibition of Tom Oxley ‘Face to Face’ which finished last week, last night our beloved Heidi Locher opened her show ‘Hotel Kalifornia’, an immersive mixed media show.

Before I arrived at the private viewing I was excited to see what Heidi had done with the Project Space. She had told us before what she was planning but I couldn’t quite picture it, however, it exceeded all my expectations.

When I entered the space I felt I that I had been immersed into a different world that I didn’t understand but bit by bit the puzzle unfolded.

The show runs until the 27th of November make sure you go and see it!! For more details click here.

Listrening to Rita Ora’s acoustic cover of Gotye’s “Somebody I Used To Know” from the new Live Lounge album in the office reminded us that back in March of this year, she popped into the Londonewcastle Project Space while Daniel Poole’s eclectic pop-up shop cum exhibition ‘The New Curiosity Shop!’ was on.

Shame she didn’t cast DP - who is busy developing new streetwear fashion brand and platform W#OY…

After the rush and success of the private view last week and a steady stream of visitors over the weekend, I had the opportunity to revisit the exhibition during a relatively quiet time to really get Face to Face with the show. Since meeting talented photographer and bloody nice bloke Tom Oxley and seeing his work I’ve been looking forward to seeing the idea realised.

As you venture through the darkened galleries, you are presented with over a dozen larger than life projections of contemporary music artists presented in a video-portrait style (there are actually 28 different acts on rotation). Look one way and you see Mark Ronson tapping out a beat, another and you see Kimberley Wyatt or Miles Kane or Professor Green….

What is not so evident - until you twig while standing in front of the projections with Bang & Olufsen speakers either side and music coming out - is that each artist is listening to a music track while being filmed - and as viewers, we are being allowed to watch their reactions to the music and witness the effects of the unrelenting gaze of the camera. The effect - aided by the simply yet stunning use of white frames around each subject which act like windows into another world - is that one is drawn in to the subject’s emotional reaction to the tunes, their movements and comfort/ anxiety in front of the camera. As a result, we feel we are closer to them and might know them better for the experience.

The portrait of Liam Gallagher is beguiling: while it reinforces what we, as consumers of the mass media’s interpretation of the man, think we know about him - full of confidence and sneering bravado; it also reveals another less sure side that we may have suspected all along (seen via the rising heart beat and glances off camera). What’s unquestionable though is his magnetism. And indeed the magnetism of the whole show.

Face to Face: The Moving Portrait runs to the 28th October with opening hours that have just been extended to 8pm midweek to cope with demand. Click here for more details.

Watch the video from Chris Moon’s recent breakthrough solo show ‘Reverie’ which was held at Londonewcastle Project Space in Shoreditch during October 2012.

Featuring interviews with Chris Moon, curator John-Paul Pryor, actress Gemma Arterton and actor Thomas Snowdon.

Film produced by Richard Gold Media, Directed & Edited by Chris Mills, Camera by James Harverson, Music “The Ideal Crush” by dEUS.

After stunning pre-sales, frenzied buying at the private view and a whirlwind week on Redchurch Street (during which the autumn winds and rains predictably arrived), Chris Moon’s breakthrough show now nudges into Frieze week with the spectre of international collectors, buyers and agents flocking to see what all the fuss is about. Well this, I guess…

Long time supporter Gemma Arterton - who graced the private view and poured a little glamour over proceedings - clearly has an eye for art as well as a script.

Chris Moon ‘Reverie’ runs to Saturday 13th October. Click here for full details.

All images above © Richard Gold Media.

The time has come for the new solo show by Chris Moon, Reverie. With ads in the major press and over a third of the ninety or so pieces already sold before it even opens to the public, the majority could well be snapped up by some of the 800 guests expected to attend the private view tonight.

Meanwhile, here is a little sneak peak at the behind-the-scenes preparations for the show.

Home i’m still here

And for those who have kept up to date with the Art Programme calendar or seen saw those advertisements in the Evening Standard, the public opening is tomorrow at midday and the show runs daily until Saturday 13th October.

Gallery view

Full details here.

It’s been nearly a year in the making and now - this Thursday to be precise - outsider artist Chris Moon will be releasing a new body of work in a solo show entitled ‘Reverie’.

The emotion of his work is clear to see on canvases that are both abstract and figurative. You recognise the scenes and are pulled into possible narratives - who exactly are they are what will they be doing later? Is the artist part of the scene or an innocent bystander?

Such questions are secondary to the intensity of the works and the pleasure that is derived from careful examination and re-examination of the subjects as you are invited to enter into the artists’ arena of dreams.

Your invitation starts on Thursday, 4th October - entrance is Free and all artworks are for sale.

Click here form more details.

It seemed like 218 people turned up to the launch of 218 Gherkins last night at the gallery. The curator, Tee Dobinson, really succeeded in simply hanging the images of the Gherkin by children from William Davis Primary Schhol off Brick Lane. The overall result was kind of graphic and well, quite beautiful actually.

The point of it all? To promote a cookbook for the NSPCC/ ChildLine that Swiss Re have put together as part of their activities to support the charity.

And why not do something that has given such pleasure to all involved - especially the children who will get to see their work up on the walls? It’s time to be less cynical Shoreditch. Pop into the gallery on Saturday, draw your own Gherkin and smile.

The show is only open on Friday and Saturday. Click here for details.

Plans are coming together at a pace for this Friday’s exhibition of giant images of the Gherkin which were produced by pupils of William Davis Primary School (just off Brick Lane) as part of a charity cookbook for ChildLine and the NSPCC and supported by Swiss Re.

It’s the brainchild of Gherkin Guru Tee Dobinson (what that lady doesn’t know about the iconic London landmark just isn’t worth knowing!) and is available for sale via Waterstone’s and at Amazon.

What’s more, the NSPCC have organised a group of artists to come on Saturday so people can draw their own Gherkin - so if you feel you can better these artists or improve on Sir Norman Foster’s original then pop into the gallery between 10am and 6pm.

More details here.

Another year of Negronis and funny shaped glassware, but what more did Designmarketo deliver at this year’s pop up shop-bar-exhibition-happening for London Design Festival and did the collaboration with Torsten Neeland work out?

The answer to both questions is a resounding YES. Despite a packed (overwhelming?) schedule for LDF2012, this show crammed in the visitors and provided a little something for everyone.

A drink at the bar? Check.

An interesting collection of re-imagined design classics? Check.

A new product innovation that is a practical and cost effective edition to the design-conscious home (in Torsten Neeland’s funky cork tray for www.magazin.com)? Check.

And a back room that is part installation / part found object art / part 90s Parisian nightclub rave? Err… Check!

MINIMALUX have released this fictional, studio staged exhibition film for London Design Festival 2012. The film seeks to create a true-life exhibition experience to be shared at the same moment in time by a globally audience. (And what’s more, you get to view the stunning collection from the comfort of your home/ office.)

The film serves as a launch for three new products in their expanding range (Brass Band, Trio & Pocket Mirror). In addition, new versions of existing items within the present collection are shown (Bulb: Copper, Bulb: Silver, U Candleholder: Copper) and a preview of new Sterling Silver Vase Editions (to be launched and made available during the Frieze Art Fair in October). The products are available to purchase from the Minimalux online store now.

It was directed by independent filmmaker Ladan Anoushfar with a soundtrack based on an original composition by musician Tim Crompton.

MINIMALUX

Minimalux is a London based design brand. Fusing primarily traditional processes of British manufacture with modern ultra simple forms, it produces tableware, desk products, lighting and accessories. Founded by designer, Mark Holmes the business was launched at the 2009 Salone del Mobile in Milan and he was later joined by co-director Tamara Caspersz.

Trading principally online via minimalux.com, it has developed a clear and strong aesthetic identity with products that have been endorsed by both industry and media worldwide.

Watch the video on the Miinimalux site.

With just hours to go before the official opening of Bar Alto and Torsten Neeland as part of London Design Festival at Londonewcastle Project Space this evening, we have been sent some snaps from behind the scenes for what visitors can expect.

In the entrance and in gallery#1 visitors will witness Designmarketo’s latest design collaborations based on the humble/ iconic French tumbler glasses and design products within the bar which have been commissioned by friends and designers. What’s more, you get a chance ot sample some of their great drinks and now almost (in)famous Negronis!

In gallery#2 the baton is passed to Torsten Neeland and a chance to see his latest tableware - including a serving tray and a thermos.

While gallery#3 is passed over to some crazy dudes from France. We’re not sure what to expect from these guys (who have just returned from a mad trip to Detroit), but it’s going to be fun. See you at the bar tonight from 7pm.

More info about the 6-day event from 18th - 23rd September, including opening hours.

Check out the event on Facebook.

This event is listed by The Icon Design Trail 2012 - Icon’s guide to the best of LDF 2012.

With just a couple more days of The Streets of Buenos Aires left to run at Londonewcastle Project Space in Shoreditch, a pictorial article by Tom Feiling for The Guardian on The graffiti of Bogotá has been published which provides an interesting comparable to the works on show by Argentinan urban artists.

Check out the article before or after you visit the live show which runs until this Thursday at 7pm.

To the opening of The Talking Walls of Buenos Aires last night in Shoreditch. Arriving at 7 to a busy Redchurch Street, you are greeted by a simple Argentinian flag painted on the outside of the space - a simple and bold move that may confuse the casual passerby. No matter, go inside.

Gallery#1 was a bit of a blur - a good blur with some bigger pieces and some of my favourites, but the entrance to gallery#2 hits you with a fine wall mural by MART and his artwork at the end.

Through in gallery#3 there’s more murals and great variety in the art on display.

What you really get though is a sense that the artists see things differently to their UK or US counterparts and that is very refreshing for the medium indeed. The show runs daily 12.30 - 7pm until 13th October - click here for more details.

It’s only one day to go until the opening of The Talking Walls of Buenos Aires at Londonewcastle Project Space in Shoreditch so here’s a brief glimpse of what you might expect.

The show is presented by graffitimundo - who apart from having a cool retro name - are a talented bunch of creatives who reside in BA and have seen how street art plays a big part in the life of the city. This isn’t about a load of egotistical tagging, walls have been used to challenge dictators. They have broadcast the stories the media wouldn’t touch. They serve as a channel for expression, art, activism, political propaganda & public opinion. The walls of Buenos Aires talk, to those who are prepared to listen…

So it’s with that idea to communicate something more that the show is happening. The following artists will be taking part:

Cabaio Stencil / Chu / Corona / Defi / Ever / Fede Minuchin / Gonzalo Dobleg / Gualicho / Jaz / Malatesta / Mart / Nasa / Pastel / Pedro Perelman / Poeta / Prensa La Libertad / Pum Pum / Roma / SAM / Stencil Land / Tec / Tester / Zumi

and a crew of these guys have flown in especially to create some new works in and around the Shoreditch area and transform the inside (and some of the outside) of the gallery too. It all kicks off on Thursday 6th September at 6pm.

Last night saw the private view and launch of Blur 21: the Exhibition on a warm, sunny night on Redchurch Street in Shoreditch. Seemed to be a success, with queues forming around the block to take a look.

The exhibition spans all three galleries at Londonewcastle Project Space and happily, there is more to it than just expertly captured images of the band at various stages of their career (though the 70 or so images captured by iconic NME photographer’s including Kevin Cummins and Pennie Smith are great at capturing the Brit pop moments of the mid 90s). On show are the band’s Brit Awards, the rear most gallery hosts videos and Spotify have decked a space out as a listening booth where you can don headphones and hear a selection of rarities from the forthcoming Blur 21 box set.

Blur’s Brit Awards

The highlight for me though is the graphic design work. The band have worked with agency Stylorouge almost since inception and they have been responsible for some memorable images. Even if you’re not a fan, you will be familiar with not only the logo, but some of the artwork which has championed artists including Banksy - who worked on 2003 album Think Tank- and Julian Opie - who created the Blur: The Best Of compilation cover (and has a solo show of new works on at Lisson Gallery this summer).

Back to the launch though - it was a memorable night organised by Hector Proud’s Cult.Brand team and the crowd went from queuing up to spilling out onto the street outside to soak up the English Summer and escape the heat inside.

Random guy getting into the Olympic spirit (maybe)

Oh and some nice guys from a band called Blur also turned up to have a look.

Mr Graham Coxon and Mr Alex James

The show is now open daily from 12 - 8pm until the 14th August.

Following the launch and exhibtiion for Dennis Morris’ photo essay on the rise of The Stone Roses This Is The One (and before a forthcoming show of John Lennon’s artworks - a few details here) Londonewcastle Project Space will play host to Spotify presents Blur 21: The Exhibition.

Exhibited together for the first time will be a collection of images of Blur from legendary music photographers, designers and artists including Pennie Smith, Kevin Cummins, Paul Postle, Tom Sheehan, Banksy and Julian Opie, celebrating the band’s 21 year career.

21 years after the release of their debut album Leisure, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree will feature in an exhibition of rare photographs, artwork and never-before-seen images of this great British band.

The retrospective celebrates Blur’s era defining music, documenting their career as one of the most successful and influential bands of the past two decades, through the lens of legendary and iconic music photographers Pennie Smith, Kevin Cummins, Tom Sheehan and Paul Postle, among others.

Spotify presents Blur 21: The Exhibition will be shown in East London contemporary art space Londonewcastle Project Space from Friday 27th July through to Tuesday 14th August - closing just after the band’s gig in Hyde Park on the 12th August as part of the Olympics closing celebrations.

Curated by leading expert on music photography Dave Brolan, all the key moments of the band’s career will be illustrated – on the road, live on stage, in the studio, as well as formal portrait sessions.

Entrance to the exhibition is FREE.

Follow the latest news on the venue on Twitter and Facebook.

For media/ press enquiries contact Hannah @ Cult.Brand

It’s barely open, but I’ve made two trips to the show already. Produced by the tireless Ed Bartlett of The Future Tense in collaboration with Opera Gallery who represent France’s highest profile, contemporary art photographer Gerard Rancinan.

The show opens with a bang and doesn’t let up until you get into the final gallery space. The images are large, glossy and absorbing - more so with the accompanying notes beside each one which help the viewer to understand Rancinan’s vision and take on the modern world.

The exhibition is the final act which will complete the series - click here to see the making of the other pieces. Back to this show - and the final gallery, in which is installed a set, lights and camera. I’m not sure visitors get this, but this is the setting for the final piece that will be photographed by Rancinan and his team next Tuesday, 12th June. What makes this special is that the participants in the piece will be drawn from a public casting - an amazing opportunity to be involved in a composition that could be worth £100,000 today - and more in the future. The piece below sold recently at Phillips De Pury auction for £97,250 - a world record for the artist and a living French photographer (see it in the gallery until the 24th June close).

It’s an intriguing proposition: lots of contemporary art locks you out, with this you get to become a part of it. Details of how to be a part in the casting here.

The winners of the Catlin Art Prize, which we’ve been delighted to host at The Londonewcastle Project Space this month, were announced last Wednesday. Closing on 25th May, there’s not long left to catch the eclectic selection of contemporary work by ten of the UK’s most promising artists, as handpicked by respected curator Justin Hammond during his tour of last year’s degree shows.

Julia Vogl scooped the £5000 prize for her installation ‘Let’s Hang Out’ which encourages public interaction and has been cause for much conversation and amusement throughout the show. Visitors are asked to choose one of several suggested pastimes - Tweet, Daydream, Call Mum, Masturbate, Have a Cuppa, Ask Me About It - each represented by a coloured carpet tile, and place it on a square on the checkered communal area. The project is part of a wider focus in Julia’s work to create site specific ‘social sculptures’, drawing on her passion for colour, architecture and the power of art to influence a community.

Julia Vogl - Let’s Hang Out

For the first time since the prize was launched in 2007, there was also a Visitor’s Vote cast by public ballot. It was one of our personal favourites, Adeline de Monseignat, who won the £2000 prize for her slightly unnerving sculpture, ‘Hairy Eye Ball’. It consists of a ball of vintage fur encased in glass, which on close inspection appears to be breathing. Adeline plays with our concept of the familiar, with the juxtaposition of safe vs threatening, and through the introduction of kinetic motorised movement in her work, the animate vs inanimate.

Hairy Eye Ball by Adeline de Monseignat

Justin Hammond reflects on this year’s show: “These artists are less than a year out of art school, but the technique and execution of the work in this showcase is way beyond that of the average degree show. They’ve produced an extremely cohesive exhibiton and – despite the competitive element – nobody was interested with hogging attention. Each of the finalists thoroughly embraced this opportunity, and they’re already making plans to kick on with their careers.”

We’re partial to a bit of street art at Londonewcastle, and to tie in with Belgian artist ROA’s current London show, one external wall of our Huntingdon Estate site on Redchurch Street is now home to an unmissable oversized hedgehog. This feature installation is part of ROA’s solo show ‘Hypnagogia’, hosted by Stolen Space gallery, and spanning two galleries as well as various other architectural ‘canvases’ across East London.

ROA is known and loved globally for his distinctive large-scale portrayals of urban wildlife, which he hand-paints on derelict buildings, shutters and walls, waking up blank spaces around the world by forcing them to reflect the realities of the urban world in which they exist, and in particular the tense relationship between humans and animals cohabiting in and around those spaces.

The name of the show might seem cryptic, but actually refers to the transitional state between being asleep and awake. Through his depictions of animals in pure form, be they sleeping, alone, skeletal or in a state of dissection, but always in that ‘interstate’, he tackles the complex issues of human vs animal behaviour and nature vs culture.

It’s definitely a show worth seeing, with a body of original work on recycled objects found in the city, as well as the site-specific installations. Find out more on the Stolen Space website. The show closes on 6th May 2012.

I visited the exhibition today after the 12 artist’s 12 day set up (for a description of the show visit the page in our Arts Programme part of the site) and was enthused to see truly refreshing work on a highly conceptual level. The curation by collective LeandaKateLouise is really inspired with each space making you stop and ponder and there seem to be new revelations for visitors as they pass and ultimately retrace their steps back through the show - culminating in Rob Eagle’s ‘Just a Cheeky Boy’.

Highlights for me are the aforementioned piece, but also Tessa Whitehead’s ‘Cowboy and Nails’ pictured below and in Gallery#3.

Tessa Whitehead-Cowboys and Nails

I’m not sure what it is - the title reminiscent of a saying, but I’m not sure what; the juxtaposition of the cut out paper cowboy and hard, protruding nails; it poses more questions than I can answer somehow.

What strikes you overall though, is a sense of playfulness, of artists having enjoyed themselves here and none more so then in Paulina Michnowska’s ‘Attempt to be patriotic’ which reminded me of the ‘Scorchio’ weather skit on The Fast Show and Richard Woods’ trademark ‘LOGO No. 108’ panelling which took me back to Selfridges’ window display some seasons ago which celebrated his collaboration with Sebastian Wrong for Established & Sons.

There is much more to see - the show runs from now until Friday 20th April from 12noon - 6pm (closed 16th and 17th) and is Free. The space is located at 28 Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, E2 7DP - click for info and map.

A bit late coming this review, but still relevant to add my thoughts on the one man, one room installation that INSA created at the project space on 29th March. It was three months in the making and from the off the artist’s enthusiasm and open nature made it a fun trip. I love seeing the space put to good use and sealing up the two other galleries to create an immersive piece in just one space was inspired.

I really like the mixture of disciplines and the idea that beauty or deviance is in the eye of the beholder and not enforced on you by the artist. But is he a passive participant here or not? I’m not so sure. But hey - there were over 100 people queuing outside for the limited edition of 50 posters to celebrate the event and the place was rammed with an eclectic mix of Shoreditch types until late into the night. Job done all round and watch this space for further collaborations we are hoping to do with INSA later in the year. For more info on the artist go to his website or blog.