Walter Knoll has launched DeskTop, a photography exhibition investigating the future of work by profiling the workspaces of London’s leading creatives, architects and designers, in its Clerkenwell showroom.
Running until 30 November, the show includes photographs of the desks of Serpentine gallery director Yana Peel, architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, curator Johanna Agerman- Ross, designer Luke Pearson of Pearson Lloyd, architect Matthew Blain of Hassell, architect and designer Sevil Peach, Wallpaper* Brand and Content Manager Tony Chambers and designer Mike Holland of Foster + Partners.
Alongside each photograph, those participating have chosen an object that captures an element of their way of working. The items include Tony Chamber’s Equilbre d’Hermès magnifying glass, Johanna Agerman’s Roget’s Thesaurus and Collins Dictionary, Sevil Peach’s Stanley tape measure and Sir Nicholas Grimshaw’s maquette of Eden Project Biomes.
Curated by Jonathan Openshaw and photographed by Anton Rodriguez, best known for his recent book, Residents: Inside the Iconic Barbican Estate, the exhibition consists of eight original photographic commissions that explore the ways in which the physical office space remains indispensable in the digital age, but also opens up questions about how it needs to innovate to remain relevant.
"The nine-to-five workplace is going through a time of unprecedented change, driven by technological and demographic shifts," says Openshaw. "As our working lives become more portable, flexible and virtual, the line between business and leisure, home and office, is blurring. This is a challenge but is also a great opportunity. DeskTop asks questions about the way we work today and how we might work better tomorrow."
"Our working world is going through change," says Markus Benz, CEO of Walter Knoll. "The design of a workplace is becoming even more significant. Because the furnishings play a major role in a company’s success and identity – modern and open, formal and informal, with freelance work and teamwork – the interior represents a company its culture and is thus always an expression of how it sees itself, as well as the esteem in which it holds for its customers."
"We work with some of the best designers and architects globally to create workplace products that are ahead of their time," Markus Benz continues. "We put a lot of time into researching the future of work. So we are delighted to be hosting this exhibition featuring the spaces of some of London’s finest creative talents."
The exhibition runs until the 30 November at Walter Knoll, 42 Charterhouse Square, Clerkenwell, London EC1M 6EA.
All images courtesy of Walter Knoll. Photography by Anton Rodriguez. Main image: Curator Johanna Agerman- Ross
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