No Kings Collective Promises An Upcoming Double Pop-Up

DC creative agency No Kings Collective, in collaboration with Warsteiner USA, will launch a special double header pop-up design exhibition at Union Market’s retail-plus concept shop Lab 1270 (1270 5th Street NE) this spring. NKC founders and partners Brandon Hill and Peter Chang will transform the 3,000-square foot mixed-use space during a two-month takeover of Lab 1270, turning it into an immersive fine art and creative retail experience.

The first phase of the build-out — THE BEASTS OF ENGLAND — launches April 8, anchored by an installation-heavy reinterpretation of George Orwell’s classic novel Animal Farm. The exhibit will consist of large indoor painting, wood sculpture, taxidermy, 2-D art and colorful typography, as well as innovative elements such as a raised grassy knoll that will serve as a communal seating area. Guests will be able to interact with the installation physically and digitally through organic social media and dedicated hashtags for a unique environmental experience.

On May 13, NKC will launch a second installation called HUSTLE 2.0, a design-oriented sophomore showcase featuring signature typography, 2-D artwork, multimedia elements, sculpture and prints focusing on the core values of arts and entrepreneurship.

THE BEASTS OF ENGLAND — April 8 through May 7 — and HUSTLE 2.0 — May 13 through June 5 — are both free to the public and open for special nightly and weekly programming and events Thursday–Sunday, Noon-5 p.m. during their limited runs.

Through their two-part project at Lab 1270, NKC will create a creative flex space with pre-planned weekly programming, encompassing art, music, culinary and social elements with the intent of making the space a transformative environment, with an ever-changing look, feel and purpose.

“Having the opportunity to bring our ideas to life at Union Market and within Lab 1270 is such a creative boost of energy for us,” says No Kings Collective co-founder Brandon Hill. “The Union Market district is such a vibrant and important community in the city, so it only makes sense that we’d want to create and curate and come up with new concepts at a place that feels like home for us.”