80 at 80 is an exhibition of 80 portraits by Olympus Visionary John Nassari. Celebrating the 80th anniversary of Olympus cameras, the photos give a glimpse inside one of London's most celebrated 5-star hotels. Shot on the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, the photographs will be exhibited for the first time on 15 April 2016 in the Ballroom of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park at an exclusive invite-only, one-night showing; before travelling to the Art Bermondsey Project Space for public view from 3-7 May 2016. The exhibition is free to view and will be open 11am to 6pm Tuesday to Friday, Saturday 11am to 4pm.

Olympus Press Release

80 at 80 - A new collection of photographs by Olympus Visionary John Nassari

Southend, March 29th 2016 – Olympus UK and Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London are proud to present a major exhibition of new photographs by Olympus Visionary John Nassari. A collection of images were commissioned by Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London to give a glimpse inside one of London's most celebrated 5-star hotels, narrated by the portraits of those who deliver the hotel’s legendary service. 80 at 80, a collection of 80 portraits, celebrates the 80th anniversary of Olympus Cameras.

The photographs will be exhibited for the first time on 15th April 2016, in the Ballroom of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London at an exclusive invite only, onenight showing, before travelling to the Art Bermondsey Project Space for public view.

Nassari was given unprecedented access to all areas of the hotel over a period of several months in 2015. This allowed him to experience the essence of the hotel and its workings. Remaining unobtrusive whilst the hotel was operational was challenging, although using the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II allowed him to quietly observe and capture the staff as they went about their very diverse, busy duties.

Reflecting the speed, hustle and bustle of the back of house environment, where cleaners, cooks, kitchen hands and maids could not be interrupted while at work; these portraits were taken in black and white. On the other hand, Nassari describes the front of house and public spaces as “a piece of theatre”, with “very high standards of presentation using precision and formality”, lending themselves more to a colour format.

Nassari’s key criterion was to show the viewers that the hotel’s outstanding service comes from the commitment and dedication of the hotel staff. Using his skills from a long and diverse career in photography, encompassing the worlds of fashion, art and academia, portraiture and weddings, he used a reportage style for this commission, to chronicle the staff and their dedicated service at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London during 2015.

For the past 80 years Olympus cameras have been used to capture and document people, happenings and events across the world. Mark Thackara UK Marketing Director said “As soon as John told me about his idea, I knew it would work to help us tell a story, set in the 80th anniversary year of Olympus Cameras. There have been some really positive changes in our cameras in the last 8 years, let alone the last 80! In the end it comes down to our reaction and interaction with images. John has delivered a great story about people, place and time”.

The exhibition 80 at 80 opens on Tuesday 3rd until Saturday 7th May at the Art Bermondsey Project space. The exhibition is free to view and will be open 11am to 6pm Tuesday to Friday, Saturday 11am to 4pm.

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