At OFFSCREEN, Galerie Bene Taschen will present original photographs from Jamel Shabazz Albums. In “Albums’’ Jamel Shabazz, wields an unexpected tool, traditional photo albums. With meticulous care, he curates these albums to create a compelling narrative of life in New York City. This project spans several decades and offers an intimate and personal view of the city’s bygone era, a cherished scrapbook of New York’s collective memory. Albums focusing on diverse themes, ranging from the fashion trends of the era to the examination of pressing social conditions; and are a loving tribute to the city itself.

Shabazz’s connection to New York City is deeply rooted, having grown up in Brooklyn. His images, meticulously organized in physical albums with textured paper and handwritten touches, emanate a vintage charm that beckons you to delve deeper into this visual journey. It’s as if you’re peering into a personal time capsule, savoring the memories of a city in constant flux.

Albums is an exploration of New York’s diverse facets, an ongoing artistic journey, and an invitation for viewers to connect with the city’s multifaceted story.

Founded in 2011 in Cologne, Galerie Bene Taschen represents some of the world’s leading artists in contemporary photography. The gallery committed to promoting its international artists though regularly participating in major art fairs such as Paris Photo and Art Cologne, as well as an extensive exhibition program. In 2011, Galerie Bene Taschen made its debut with LA photographer Gregory Bojorquez exhibiting his series Eastsiders in Berlin; in 2013 it began working together with Jospeh Rodriguez from New York. In 2014 the acclaimed Berlin-based photographer Miron Zownir joined the gallery’s program, followed by American photographers Jamel Shabazz and Arlene Gottfried from New York in 2015. Being a pop-up gallery the gallery’s exhibition spaces wandered from Berlin to Cologne. Since 2017 the gallery moved to a permanent space in Cologne. The gallery has been pleased to represent New York based photographer Jeff Mermelstein and German painter Charlotte Trossbach since automn 2017, who paints in a hyperrealistic manner, and has been working with renowned photographer Larry Fink since 2019. In 2020, the gallery held its first show of Sebastiao Salgado with many, until then unknwon, works of his series Gold.