Turned on and Switched off - Urbanography from the lens of a shutterbug 10|03|08

Vivid colours, derelict buildings and neon lights are some of Ben Williams' favoured photographic subjects. In his first public show, he exhibits a selection of this work that focuses on unfamiliar details or vistas within metropolitan landscapes. An architect by day, Ben is an enthusiastic amateur photographer and  is thrilled  to display some of his work in London. “I don't proclaim to be a photographic genius. I do this as an enthusiastic amateur in my free time and enjoy it immensely. I'm particularly interested in quirky details, derelict buildings and neon lights. These influences can be seen in many of the images  ... through the eyes of an architect ”. Ben continues, “My architectural background taught me some basic photographic skills but more importantly about opening eyes, looking around and being aware of the environment we live in."

Amin Taha Architects go solo 07|03|08

Following group exhibitions in the Royal Academy, the V&A, Santiago de Compostela and Barcelona, Amin Taha Architects will present their debut solo show at Adrem's dreamspace gallery between 13th March and 18th April 2008. Now worthy of an exhibition of their own, Amin Taha Architects is arguably one of the most up and coming design practices in London. Since it was established in 2003 it has completed the Gazzano House on Farringdon Road, the eye-catching Cor-Ten residential building next to the Guardian/Observer headquarters which was shortlisted for two awards and has won a competition for a new family house on the Thames in Henley, receiving international acclaim. The exhibition will introduce unseen competition entries, models and recent projects completed in 2007. Together, they will illustrate how the practice continues to develop an architectural oeuvre whose intercontextual approach draws on direct, physical and social contexts. This work highlights a unique and engaging poetry that better defines our relationship with that context and our intended habitation within it. For more details email dreamspace@adrem.uk.com.

Michelangelo was asked when the Sistine Chapel would be finished he said it would be finished when it was ready. But who will see the imperfections from the ground asked the crowd? I will, answered Michelangelo. Now we may not have Michelangelo exhibiting, but Amin on the other hand is a perfectionist none the less and suggested moving the start date back. The exhibition will now be unleashed on 13 March 2008.

www.amintaha.co.uk

Yellow Jelly Design Competition 31|01|08

Icon magazine announced the winners of the Yellow Jelly graphic design competition last night during a presentation party at Adrem’s dreamspace gallery. In first place was Marcus Baron whose design was influenced by the ‘primitive digital’ look seen on an LED display. Marcus took away the prize money of £500, a year’s subscription to icon amongst other funky prizes. In second place was Amit Patel and in third place, Luke Twyman. A massive thank you goes out to all of the 11 finalists, varying between established designers to young graduates, who made the Yellow Jelly competition a resounding success. An exhibition of their entries will run at Adrem’s dreamspace gallery until 29th Feb 2008. Yellow Jelly finalists: Marcus Baron, Amit Patel, Luke Twyman, Damien Kidd, Jason Burton, Kalvyn French James, Charlene Lim, Matthew Miles, Aidan Nolan & Charlie Ross; Liza Lewis and Tom Martin. Icon magazine and Adrem teamed up to host the first in a series of new design competitions, Yellow Jelly. Featuring a different design discipline each time, the Yellow Jelly series will give the most talented creatives an opportunity to shine. Whether an established designer keen to break into the design scene, or a graduate wanting to show the world what they’ve got. Icon magazine set the first brief, tasking individuals to create a bold new logo for their website, iconeye. Special thanks to Community Views Design and Print for their print support www.communityviews.org and to our key sponsor Creative Pool (www.creativepool.co.uk)

UK Architect returns home for book launch 16|01|08

International Architect, Stephen Williams, returned to the UK for a combined exhibition and launch of his monograph from the Publishers DAAB in Cologne. The exhibition, including a snap-shot of recent architectural projects, took place at the dreamspace gallery, EC1. Williams set up his practice in Hamburg, Germany in 2000 and is widely known for his projects for Volkswagen’s Autostadt and the Warner and Universal Music Headquarters in Hamburg and Berlin. His signature style of literary aesthetic qualities, both in conceptual function and detailed exploration of meaning, attracted the interests of DAAB Publishing because of their focus on international architects and designers who push the boundaries of creativity. Williams says, “Current design can be separated into two camps Authenticity and Karaoke, I have always tried to avoid meaningless games with form which are normally clichés and attempted to get to the essence on the issues involved with how people interact with spaces”. The exhibition ran between 17 September and 12 October 2007 and offered an insight into the current projects of his architectural practice. The private view, held on 20 September 2007, marked the UK launch of his publication.

Jim Mahfood and Bill Shag team up 16|01|08

American comic book creator Jim Mahfood and photographer Bill Shag teamed up to produce an exclusive collection of artworks on show at the dreamspace gallery last month. The show presented original works by the two artists and gave a unique chance to see a new series of collaborative pieces. Jim has long been a star of the comic scene; his drawings and paintings are a comic-book twist of surrealist wit and graffiti style and culture. Bill Shag’s photographs are a record of the absurd and beautiful America in which he lives. Dark and dangerous, his images capture a subversive world reveling on the edge of society. This was a rare chance to see and purchase work by two of America’s best underground artists. The exhibition has now been moved to The Prague bar until 8th February and there are a few pieces left to buy. The Prague Bar, 6 Kingsland Road, London, E2 8DA.