Kohn Pedersen Fox Hosts Inaugural Exhibition: ‘Cities Unknown’

Feb 2012

By Alison Furuto — Filed under: Events ,Exhibition , Hans‐Georg Esch, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), London, United Kingdom

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Courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)

International architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) recenlty announced the inaugural exhibition at its new gallery space in central London, a celebration of the work of German artist and architectural photographer Hans‐Georg Esch. Shown in the UK for the first time, the exhibition presents a selection of photographs taken from Esch’s ‘Cities Unknown’ series. More images and information on the exhibition after the break.

Courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)

Visiting China frequently since 1997, Esch has witnessed en passant the country’s unprecedented and fast‐paced development. Fascinated that cities such as Chongqing, despite having over 32 million inhabitants, remain virtually unknown in the western world, he sought to document China’s rapidly growing megacities. By focusing his lens on the lesser known cities, such as Chongqing, Tianjin, or Shenyang, instead of concentrating on familiar metropolises such as Beijing or Shanghai, Esch offers a unique look at the most populous country in the world.

Courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)

The series, however, is more than just the documentation of the ‘unknown’ cities of the People’s Republic—it is also an arresting demonstration of a nation’s epic self‐staging of ambition and power. The striking ensembles of large‐format urban photographs look as if they were taken in flight, and enmesh viewers in a confusion of lines, exposing them to a range of different visual impressions.

Courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)

Paul Katz, KPF’s Managing Principal, said: “We are honoured to present the work of H. G. Esch in the first exhibition at our new London gallery space. Esch’s impressive photographs capture the complexity of China and the remarkable growth of its cities over the past 15 years. This is of particular interest to us as KPF has been on the forefront of the urban density movement over the last three decades, providing design for some of the most progressive and complex projects, whether entirely new sustainable cities or super‐tall towers.”

The exhibition will run until March 16th at 7a Langley Street, London, WC2H 9JA. The gallery will be open to the public from 9am to 6pm, Monday through Friday.

: Courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)

: Courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)

: Courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)

: Courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)

: © Hans‐Georg Esch

: © Hans‐Georg Esch

: © Hans‐Georg Esch

: © Hans‐Georg Esch

Cite:
Furuto , Alison . "Kohn Pedersen Fox Hosts Inaugural Exhibition: ‘Cities Unknown’" 07 Feb 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed 25 May 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/205329>

Comments (3)
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Nick Simpson says:

Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm. Should be busy then…

# February 7, 2012 at 04:02

Chris says:

Anybody know what the (weirdly) beige overhead devices are? Please?

# February 8, 2012 at 07:19

J S says:

“By focusing his lens on the lesser known cities, such as Chongqing, Tianjin, or Shenyang, instead of concentrating on familiar metropolises such as Beijing or Shanghai…”

Strange, but the 5th image looks very much like Shanghai to me.

# February 9, 2012 at 23:35

8:09 AM Feb 7th

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Kohn Pedersen Fox Hosts Inaugural Exhibition: ‘Cities Unknown’: Courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)
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Kohn Pedersen Fox Hosts Inaugural Exhibition: ‘Cities Unknown’: Courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)
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8:10 AM Feb 7th

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