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Benjamin John Hall, Fashion Space Gallery’s first design resident, took inspiration from current geopolitical issues and espionage. His starting point and continued focus of interest is the assassination of Alexander Litvinenko. The title of this exhibition, Laboratory 12, one name for the KGB’s secret poison laboratory tasked with developing colourless, tasteless, odourless poisons. One such poison, Polonium - was identified as Litvinenko’s cause of death.
Through a collection of highly engineered footwear, Hall explores the extent to which governments potentially could or already are securing their best interests in a current global political and economic environment that is marked by uncertainty. Each of the eight pairs of shoes on display in this exhibition highlights a specific notion or concept unearthed through his extensive research into documented tactics used by various security agencies worldwide. These range from subtle psychological warfare to concealed recording devices.
By interrogating the possibilities or – in some cases – the realities of how far governments are prepared to go to maintain the balance of powers by bending international law and manipulating the media to hide this from the public eye, Hall draws attention to the precariousness of contemporary world politics.
Benjamin John Hall
Part shoe maker, part inventor, Benjamin John Hall is committed to producing advanced projects in footwear. Conceptually orientated and often exploring design and manufacturing processes his work challenges today’s notions of footwear. Pieces are made by hand in London – by himself and his team over a lengthy research and development period. His experimental work attracts attention and discussion from fashion stylists, photographers, magazine editors, and film-makers, and has been exhibited worldwide. The dramatic use of both film and live performance have become characteristics of his work, using them as a platform to present new collections. Hall studied at London College of Fashion’s Cordwainers College and as a footwear designer has worked with factories all over the world including Italy, Portugal, China, India and the UK. He has lectured at Central Saint Martins, the London College of Fashion and has acted as a technical consultant at the Royal College of Art.
fashion space gallery
20 john prince's street
london
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