[Hong Kongers] 2023 Winter Issue

Issue Highlights: REview // 180 Years of Portrait Photography Following Hong Kong's establishment as a British colony in 1842, photography quickly arrived, leading to the emergence of portrait studios. The "living, breathing people" in these photographs served as evidence of existence. Today, having been immersed in a flood of photographic imagery, it's rare for a portrait to evoke surprise. Yet, photographs continue to connect with our memories, acting as imprints of our lives, their influence undiminished. REmember // Studio Life Photographer Ng Man-ching, who spent a long time documenting neighborhood old shops, has amassed a collection of old studio paraphernalia. He has visited over a dozen traditional photo studios in Hong Kong and published a book researching the history of these establishments. Faced with old photographs long forgotten by their subjects, he is not merely an observer but a participant in these stories. REminiscence // Tales from the Photo Studio Before the digital age, photographs were printed on various textured papers, adorned with decorative borders and hand-colored finishes. The design of packaging for film and prints also evolved with the times, technology, and aesthetics. These embellishments add a layer of artisanal quality to old photographs. REmode // When You See the Stars in the Sky Hong Kong's entertainment industry grew exponentially after the war. The stars captured by photographers like Ho Fan in the 1950s and 60s, and later, icons like Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung, Brigitte Lin, and Anita Mui, immortalized by renowned director/photographer Yonfan in the 80s and 90s, became the idols etched in public memory. REveal // Beyond Portraits: The Art of the Human Form Stories about people never grow old, and the creation of portraits will always endure. The interpretations and meanings simply shift with time and perspective. Wong Chor-chiu, a pioneer of conceptual photography in Hong Kong since the 90s, and Chu Tak-wah, who has captured numerous famous portraits from the 90s to the present, create portraits while also using them as a medium for creation, each revealing a distinct visual and emotional interpretation of the era and its people. REdefine // The Legacy Without sound designers, every film would be a silent movie. MBS Studios, founded by Tsang King-shing in 1988, was a leader in post-production sound design for countless Hong Kong and international films. After his passing in 2017, how are his young daughter and the apprentices he nurtured carrying forward his lifelong dream? For them, is legacy a responsibility, or a foundation for inspiration? Other Featured Content: REcord // A Certain Kind of Hong Konger Beyond revealing Hong Kong's original appearance, these historical images from over a century ago—portraits and group photos of people we barely recognize or have long forgotten—how do they differ from our current perception of "Hong Kong people"? What defines the identity and characteristics of "Hong Kong people"? REgain // East Meets West: A Eurasian Blend Born in Hong Kong at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Eurasians, though outwardly and culturally closer to Westerners, often identified more with their Chinese heritage. Caught between both worlds, and not fully accepted by either, what were their lives like at the time? REcap // Youthful Faces, Weathered Souls In the past, Hong Kong streets were filled with casually dressed children and older men. A fleeting smile, a face etched with stories, adorned scenes of hardship. Amidst the city's changing landscape, what kind of "Hong Kong life" did they represent? REfract // The Foreign Gaze: Hong Kongers Through Another Lens What do Western photographers see in Hong Kong people? Dutch photographer Ed van der Elsken, who visited Hong Kong twice in the 50s and 60s, and Canadian photographer Greg Girard, who resided in Hong Kong in the 80s and 90s, captured typical citizens or exoticized stereotypes? REconnect // Forgotten, Unforgettable Architect Gary Hui uses old photographs left by his grandmother to trace her life experiences before memory loss, connecting generations emotionally and exploring the reality and illusion of memory. REdraw // Sham Shui Po Life Sham Shui Po has always been teeming with diverse individuals. The uninhibited uncles and aunties, each "amplifying" their lives in their own ways, inspire local artist Arme Chan—where space is limited, life can be boundless. ISBN: 978-988-74818-1-2 Price: HK$140 Printed in: Hong Kong Publication Date: Late January Exclusive Winter Issue Offer from the Online Store Comes with a set of retro-bordered photo sleeves, turning your photos into gifts. In modern times, people constantly take photos and videos to share on social media. But before cameras were common, taking a photo was no simple feat, and photographs could even be given as gifts. These two sets of photo sleeves, featuring retro borders and nostalgic font designs, allow you to preserve your favorite photos or give them as cherished keepsakes. (Colors are random, limited quantities available on a first-come, first-served basis.) Sleeve Dimensions: 110mm x 155mm (folded); 261mm x 155mm (unfolded). Fits 2R or 3R photos. (Non-representational image, for reference only.)