We all know Ben Eine as the man who loves letters, those slanty, straight or curvy characters that permeate our world, our consciousness, on which modern civilisation is partly built. Letters have clout – artistically, culturally, politically, historically. And while you may or may not have noticed that Eine’s alphabet canvases sometimes omit the letter ‘W’ – their grid layout leaving no room for odd numbers – this exclusive second sculpture release from the artist, produced by Fluorescent Smogg, proves that there’s no love lost.
‘The Missing Letter’, hand-cast in concrete and available in four colourways and one seductive special edition, lavishes attention on the alphabet’s 23rd character – a symmetrical symbol that is both aesthetically and phonetically pleasing, that’s admirable for reasons beyond being the chemical element sign for tungsten and the only letter name with more than one syllable. Stand back, take stock: the letter ‘W’ just always looks good.
So now is your chance to place one in your collection. It may be the Ancient Greeks, the Romans or the Phoenicians we have to thank for creating the alphabet and bringing us the letter ‘W’ in the first place, but Ben Eine now brings it to bold, brilliant, three-dimensional new life. And while his first ‘E’ sculpture release of 2013 sold out pretty much instantly, this accolade to character 23 – in editions of just 10 for each colourway – is likely to follow suit.
Ben Eine x Fluorescent Smogg "The Missing Letter" cast concrete sculpture edition. On Sale Thursday 13th October online from FluorescentSmogg.
Ben Eine 3D limited edition sculptures
SAVE YOURSELVES Exhibition in Hackney Wick
They say home is where the heart is, but in Stour Spaces case, home is where the art is. Well this may have been the case a while back in Hackney Wick, but these days the sights of cranes, bulldozers, developers and hoardings seem to have replaced the now lesser spotted artist.
This October 14th at Stour Space, Aida Wilde (Aida & The Glorious House of Brag) will once again assemble the 'Lunatics' from the recent takeover of the Lord Napier pub (Hackney Wicked 2016), bringing you an immersive, visual and historical experience. By sharing personal photos and archival images and footage with us, the local people of The Wick, Hackney WickED and Save Hackney Wick have contributed to what promises not to be just another gallery show but an insight into this unique community past and present.
For at least a decade, the urban art landscape of the Wick has shaped and developed the aesthetic of this unique pocket of East London. Save Yourselves celebrates the art and the artists who have personal and emotional connections to the area. Many of these artists have gone on to become some of the most prolific street artists of our time. As most buildings are doomed for demolition, subsequently so is the rich heritage of urban art in East London. Is there now anything left to Save, apart from Ourselves?
Join Stour Space to commiserate, commemorate and celebrate what has been, is, and might be, from a community in mourning.
LINE UP
MOBSTR, Donk, Zombie Squeegee, Static, Fatherless, Edwin, Mighty Mo, Sweet Toof, Dscreet, Unga, Deso, Malarko, Float, DONE, Gregg Abbott (The Hidden Print), Vesna Parchet, Teddy Baden, John Atherton, Hin, Sony, Darren John, RUN, Ronzo, Rowdy, Neoh, David O'Shaughnessy, Cristina Lina, Brenda Goodchild, Helen Ashton, Jo Hicks, Anna Chilton, Xenz, Busk, Fifth Wall TV, Rosa Romeo, Felicity Taylor, Gina Pellicci, Juliette Stuart, Allie Li, Ego. A. Sowinski, Pang, Tek33, ODC & Nudo de Víboras.
7-10pm on Friday 14th October, all welcome
AT Stour Space, 7 Roach Road, Hackney Wick, E3 2PA
Exhibition will be open daily until 31st October 9am-5pm, free entry.
'The Boosh Club’ photography exhibition by Dave Brown
To celebrate 10 years since their first UK tour, Dave Brown from The Mighty Boosh will exhibit his 'on tour photographs from his extensive archive.
Boosh works from comedy photographer Andy Hollingworth and illustrators Ivana Zorn, Jake and Mr Bingo will also be on show. As well as original artworks by Noel Fielding.
Limited edition prints will be available to purchase with a prcentage on profits going to the help refugess charity. The Book Club will also host a series of themed arts and culture events, including a Boosh-themed Artist Lock-in and a Boosh Halloween party. For more info check the Book Club event page here.
Launch date 20th October 2016
8pm – 2am - free entry.
Exhibition runs, 20th October – 29th January 2017
The Book Club, 100 – 106, Leonard Street, London, EC2A 4RH.
