KK Outlet Shows 2009

KK OUTLET is a multifunctional office combining a communications agency with a shop and gallery space. It was set up in 2007 by the Amsterdam based communications agency KesselsKramer, who are famed for creating innovative, witty advertising solutions for a range of clients.

Situated in the heart of London’s Shoreditch, their location and reputation precede them, allowing them to work with some of the most exciting artists, designers & photographers in their on-site gallery. The space is also home to a physical shop, housing exclusive products and books, with new products being added regularly.

As an appreciation for the stellar line-up of shows coming up from June – December 2009 we are excited to document all of the shows here in KK OUTLET’s own dedicated It’s Nice That feature. Here you’ll be able to find interviews with the exhibitors as well as an in-depth look around each show.

We also managed to catch up with Creative Director Richard Walker to get an insiders point of view on the Outlet and what it is that makes it a little different from the rest.

What is your role at Kessels Kramer?

Well, I’m the Creative Director, which is a bit of a strange role, as we’re taking everything we have in the Amsterdam office – the multi-disciplinary people who work in a very untraditional way and extending that idea here. This place is a physical way of showing how we work. We’ve always made products but never had a physical shop or space in which to sell and house them, we’ve always had exhibitions but never had our own space to exhibit, so it’s a natural progression. It is simply an outlet for what we do as an agency.

So what makes it so special?

Well a lot of the things you’ll see sold here are made by the people who work for Kessels Kramer, most of them are personal projects by our staff. We’re also developing the shop range to house specially selected products and books titles which reflect the character of KesselsKramer.

The people who exhibit here have had a connection with KK, either they’ve helped with a piece of work or a campaign, or they’ve inspired people here.

Are these shows from June — December a good representation of how the space will be used beyond the end of the year?

Yes I think we have a really strong programme lined up. Each exhibition currently runs for a month but if anything came up that we really liked, that suited being a bit longer or shorter we’d accommodate it. For example we’re working with Wallpaper* Magazine on a “Tart Card” project which will run for a week June 22-29). It was unplanned but has turned out to be a great addition to the programme. It’s important to have that flexibility.

Is the aim of the shows solely to get footfall to the space?

No definitely not, it’s also to inspire the people who work here too. That’s why we want to have as many as possible, and monthly is the most manageable. It’s designed in a way that when we walk in here there’s a never-ending pool of inspiration, and of course it then feeds into our work.

We’re also in the really fortunate position to be able to offer the gallery to people whose work we really admire but who perhaps haven’t had an exhibition yet. Introducing them to a wider audience and seeing their work from a different perspective.

Kessels Kramer isn’t your average advertising agency, how would you say it differs from the norm?

We are fortunate that the people we hire here have a healthy dislike of ‘advertising’. We work in a multi-disciplinary, media netural environment. A space that constantly challenges the perimeters of what we think ‘advertising’ is. We can be curating an exhibition of funny shaped vegetables one day, and working on a global advertising campaign the next. It certainly keeps the people who work here on their toes and enables our creatives to cross over into areas of working that they have always been passionate about, but never had the opportunity to do in their day job.

There is a very open feel here too. The doors are always open here and people can walk in off the street as we work and they’re always welcome. Also, you have to keep in mind we’re right next to the White Cube, so we’re on opposite ends of the spectrum to what’s around us. Although we could never compete with them I don’t think we’d ever want to. We like things that are inspirational and culturally relevant to us and by doing so show the personality of Kessleskramer.

KK Outlet, 42 Hoxton Square, London, N1 6PB +44 (0)207 033 7680 See Map

www.kkoutlet.com
www.kesselskramer.com