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2023 EDITION

Virtual Borders: Spaces Transformed

Story by Nia Abernathy




Virtual Borders: Spaces Transformed



As the 21st-century navigates the rippling effects of the pandemic, the rise of remote work reshapes the globe. Nia Abernathy's project, "Virtual Borders: Spaces Transformed", masterfully captures this profound change, providing an intimate gaze into the shift in work culture and its impact on urban landscapes and home environments. Abernathy’s lens journeys across continents, transcending borders that were once pivotal to the world of work, but now lay dormant in the era of remote work.

Her approach aims to show how the shift in work paradigms has transformed public spaces once teeming with office-goers into vacant architectural spectacles, juxtaposed with homes that have been retrofitted to accommodate work demands. This seismic shift has not just altered the physical spaces we inhabit, but has also sparked emotional and psychological transformations.

With sensitivity and empathy, Abernathy portrays the often overlooked aspects of remote work – the isolation, the blurring lines between work and personal life, and the subsequent adaptation. Through these striking images, we are made to confront and reflect on these changes that are quietly yet relentlessly reshaping our society.

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Nia Abernathy

About the photographer

Nia Abernathy is an acclaimed American documentary photographer with a reputation for her compelling narrative style and profound empathy. Born and raised in Oakland, California, Abernathy’s fascination with photography started at a young age with her father’s old Kodak camera.

She studied Photography and Journalism at New York University and soon established herself as a storyteller using visual narratives. Throughout her career, she has focused on illuminating human resilience in the face of socio-economic changes, and her works reflect her deep understanding of people’s adaptability.

Abernathy's work has been featured in numerous international publications and exhibitions. She received the Pulitzer Prize in 2019 for her photo series 'Fading Fields,' an intimate look at American farmers grappling with climate change. Her style often fuses classical composition with stark realism, showcasing the profound within the ordinary.

"Virtual Borders: Spaces Transformed" is Abernathy’s most recent project, a photographic exploration of the seismic shift in work culture due to the rise of remote work. Known for her ability to capture the essence of change and transformation, Abernathy provides an intimate and poignant view of this global phenomenon.

Despite her many accolades, Abernathy remains grounded in her belief that photography should serve as a means to share stories and foster understanding. With each project, she aspires to bridge gaps, spark dialogue, and illuminate the complexities of the human condition.



Photos in this series

The Abandoned Hive: This shot portrays a deserted office space bathed in the melancholy light of the setting sun. The rows of empty cubicles, previously a hive of activity, present a poignant contrast to the lively, yet isolated work-from-home scenes. The Home-Office Symphony: A high angle shot of a home, where each room tells a unique story of work, showing a family adapted to their respective workspaces, creating a symphony of isolated productivity. Disconnected Connection: A close-up of a worker's face, their eyes reflecting the glow of the computer screen. The stark contrast of the cold electronic light against the warmth of the domestic backdrop represents the new reality of human connection in the remote work era. Silent Streets, Echoing Screens: A wide shot of an eerily quiet cityscape at what used to be peak office hours, juxtaposed with inset images of lit-up windows at night, each glowing screen echoing the city's lost vibrancy. Flexible Boundaries: An intimate image of a dining table turned into a makeshift workspace, symbolizing the blurring lines between personal and professional life. The dimmed lighting and tight framing amplify the sense of confinement within the supposedly open domestic spaces. From Urban to Screen: A long-exposure night shot of an urban landscape, filled with office buildings with only a few lights on, standing as silent watchers over the city. The skyscrapers' reflection in a nearby lake symbolizes the transition from physical office spaces to digital screens.