Fashion photographer Nick Knight is collaborating with American Express to create his first real-time photography exhibition to be hosted on Twitter. Tomorrow, Nick will set out from his home in West London capturing photos of the hidden inspiration he sees in the places he passes every day and sharing in real time to help uncover the city’s secret spots and help people see London in a new light. Locations will take in the likes of Brunswick Centre, the Trellick Tower in Kensington and the space beneath the Westway dual carriageway. In order to view the exhibition, follow #MySecretCity or @AmexUK.

Press Release

London by Knight: Photographer Nick Knight puts fashion on hold to take on real-time urban photography exhibition

World renowned fashion photographer, Nick Knight is collaborating with American Express to create his first real-time photography exhibition to be hosted on Twitter, live from London: Follow #MySecretCity or @AmexUK.

On Thursday 3rd July, Nick will set out from his home in West London capturing photos of the hidden inspiration he sees in the places he passes every day and sharing in real time to help uncover the city’s secret spots and help people see London in a new light.

Nick will explore locations across the city that each inspire him in a different way. The exhibition will uncover the hidden beauty in these unexpected places; from city gardens and urban habitats, to brutalist architecture and urban playgrounds. Locations will take in the likes of Brunswick Centre, the Trellick Tower in Kensington and the space beneath the Westway dual carriageway.

Nick Knight comments, “I’m really excited to be involved in the first real-time exhibition of its kind, set in the city that gives me so much inspiration for my work. The poetry of roses, the beauty of architecture, both classical and modern and the vast array of human relationships and cultures caught up in the flow of communication between millions of people and their actions.  All these different tempos of life flowing over each other.

I feel our familiarity with the place we live can make us miss the brilliance that is all around us, which is why I’ve teamed up with American Express to celebrate this wonderful city and help people see its hidden beauty. To show the things that are always there but so often go unseen.  London's hidden treasures.”

The exhibition comes as a study by American Express suggests that Brits are stuck on ‘Urban Autopilot’ when it comes to exploring their day to day surroundings, failing to take advantage of everything that’s on offer. The research revealed that when out and about in their nearest city, seven out of ten1 Brits are looking down, distracted by smart phones and tablets. Over half (54%) are focussed on getting to their destination as quickly as possible and 43% are busy thinking about personal to-do lists or considering things to buy (41%). Just one in five take the time to look at their surroundings.

Vice President Brand and Communications, American Express, Melissa Weber says, “The cities we live in are brimming with potential, although we may only appreciate a fraction of what they have to offer. As a fashion photographer, Nick has consistently challenged conventional notions of beauty. Now we’re challenging him to re-imagine his commute to work and take a look at other sides to London, those that often go unnoticed in the hope that they inspire others to realise the potential of their city.”

Nick’s urban photography exhibition will be featured alongside a map created by American Express of London’s top inspirational spaces in collaboration with the some of the UK’s top bloggers*. The map, available at pinterest.com/AmexUK, is packed with hidden havens and hideaways in well and lesser known parts of the city to help people discover something new to love about the capital.

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