Magnum Exhibition (Open for Business. Multistory)

In 2013, Multistory and Magnum Photos commissioned nine of the world's leading photographers to document contemporary British manufacturing. During a period of great economic instability, and where questions are being raised about the strength of western economies within the worldwide market, there has never been a more relevant time to explore the condition of Britain's manufacturing future.

British industry faces several challenges and Open for Business reveals that daily struggle as businesses attempt to cut costs, streamline processes and level up to international competition.

The photographs in Open for Business show what this means at a human level. They reveal the shifting balance between white and blue-collar workers, the physical reality of process automation and of environments in which a growing staff manage activity from a computer screen. The project raises questions about the corporate responsibility of employers to their employees, highlights the significance of migration to our workforce and shows the pride exuded from our workers who make a huge variety of products.

This project included Magnum's UK photographers: Stuart Franklin, David Hurn, Peter Marlow, Martin Parr, Mark Power and Chris Steele-Perkins; they worked alongside three international photographers: Alessandra Sanguinetti (Argentina), Bruce Gilden (America) and Jonas Bendiksen (Norway). They visited over one hundred workplaces across the UK; from on-man businesses to FTSE 100 companies. Their photographs take us from tradition, handmade crafts to modern, intelligent automation; from foundries and assembly lines to research laboratories and high tech cleanrooms, showing and economic sector of extraordinary resistance and diversity.

Link to the magnum site where you can find all the photos: https://pro.magnumphotos.com/Package/2K1HRGWQ9EYW
Link to the exhibition site where you can find all the information: http://openforbusiness.uk.com/stories/