Bulletin

Last month marked World Architecture Festival in Amsterdam where renowned architect David Adjaye was not afraid to speak his mind on his thoughts about the attitude towards architecture today. Declaring that architects should get a lot more credit when it comes to the development of our world’s cities, he thinks that money is bringing a negative effect upon this section of the creative industry: “Billion-pound projects are perverting architecture…architects should be champions for the cities they build projects in.”
During his keynote speech, Adjaye radiated his passion for architecture and disclosed how money and wealth has completely changed the way architecture should be perceived and arguably, has made it a less significant factor in the regeneration of an area: “Money has totally corrupted the ability to make a meaningful form…it’s all about money now. Architecture in the west is absurdly expensive – projects cost billions and it’s crazy.”
The architect-extraordinaire went on to say that those in his field need to take it upon themselves to make sure that their buildings offer something back to the people that will using them rather than just accomplishing a brief given to them by a client.

Photo Credit: Dezeen

If the plentiful Christmas lunches, cocktail parties and office treats aren’t enough indulgence this season then you’re in luck, because starting this weekend until 6th January at the V&A Museum is this year’s annual Gingerbread City exhibition!

This year marks the third year of this architectural bonanza where the theme is ‘Imagining the Future City.’ where a collection of architects, engineers and designers get together and construct a decorative , small-scale town that’s literally good enough to eat! There are over 60 miniature buildings to feast your eyes on this year including libraries, farms and botanical gardens.

In addition to the exhibition itself, you can even partake in some gingerbread workshops – a festive outing for the whole family to enjoy!

Ben Eine, one of the biggest household names when it comes to London street art, has been at it again creating some more of his signature artwork in east London. This time Eine’s message is ‘Stop Knife Crime.’

Eine’s street art story along this 21m long wall in Old Street began back in 2006 following the death of 22-year old musician and youth-worker Tom-Louis Easton after a tragic, fatal stabbing incident. After this happened, Flavasum Trust was founded by Tom’s mother, Dolores Attaras and his family in 2007. The trust was created to try and combat knife crime and this was a cause that Ben Eine was keen to give his full support and to and agreed to paint powerful messages along the wall near Tom’s death in aid of the charity. Flavasum Trust have said: “When he first painted change, people were taken aback and wanted to know what it was all about. Ten years later knife crime is still with us and Ben still gives up his time. We love and respect him for that.’

A few of the messages that Eine have painted here over the past decade have included, ‘Change, Worth More, Engaging,’ and the most recent work of art, ‘Stop Knife Crime.’ Eine feels so strongly about this issue that is still so grave in London and his passion undoubtedly comes through in his art: “The situation with knife crime is just getting worse and worse and people have had enough. More has to be done to prevent it. This has to stop.”

Photo Credit: Made in Shoreditch