Bureaucratics, a fascinating collection of artwork by Dutch photographer Jan Banning, just opened at Columbia’s 701 Center for Contemporary Art.

The photos, 50 in all, present civil servants from around the globe, all posed at their desk. Banning did not give his subjects advance warning about when he would be shooting them; instead he simply popped into the office. As a result, desks are strewn with papers, coffee mugs are out, chairs are broken and some offices are in downright disarray. In other words, the photos give as true an image as possible as to what it would be like to visit this worker as a citizen off the street.

Banning is a photographer of international acclaim who won the prestigious World Press Photo 2004 for Best Documentary Portrait Series and was nominated for the 2009 Santa Fe Prize for Photography. This collection, Bureaucratics, was made into a book in 2008.

Bureaucratics will be on display at 701 CCA through Sept. 19. Admission is free for 701 CCA members; for everyone else there is a $5 suggested donation. There will be a reception on Sept. 2 from 7 to 9 p.m.

If you have never been to 701 CCA this is a great opportunity to stop by and check the place out. 701’s mission is to increase understanding and appreciation of contemporary art as well as to heighten awareness about the process of making art. As a result, the center combines exhibitions in its gallery space with educational programs for adults and children as well as an artist-in-residence program that allows patrons access to the artists whose works they have admired in the gallery.

Banning will begin one of these six-week artist residencies in the fall and is scheduled to give a gallery talk on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.

The gallery at 701 Center for Contemporary Art is open Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

An excellent time to visit is on Saturday mornings when the All Local Farmer’s Market takes place in the building next door. Arrive at the market at 10 a.m. for a farm fresh breakfast and a cup of the market’s great coffee, shop for local culinary delights, and then stroll over to 701 CCA for a look at some great art.