Series Statement
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.
Image Captions
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.
