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For the majority of the public, Hong Kong photography is an elusive concept largely shaped by commercial and journalistic connotations. But beyond these confines, a number of dedicated photographers have been working to promote their art as one of the city's contemporary art forms, and a collective reflection of its multiple identities.

Imaging Hong Kong, an exhibition featuring 42 active Hong Kong photographers, is a testimony to this creativity. Organized by a local photography group, pH5, the exhibition showcases the development of Hong Kong photography over the past 60 years, and presents new talent and future promises in the field.

The works are divided into four thematic and stylistic categories. A documentary of city life appears in "Visible City". Portraits of characters highlight "Power to People". New media works speak in "Freedom to Mix, Dare to Be New", and subjective photography finds its voice in "Liberty of Imagination".

Disappearing tracks

Among the diverse subjects in the group show, the photographer's urge to preserve a disappearing city stands out as a prominent theme. Simon Go presents his portraits of old family businesses in various districts, embodying the history of urban development and the rise and fall of communities.

"Some of these businesses went from a stall or a trolley on the streets to fixed premises. Now they face the threat of being shut down because of urban redevelopment," Go said. "In my few years of shooting this series, a number of shops have gone and other elderly owners disappeared. It's all a bit sad to me."

Veteran photographer Leong Ka-tai depicts similar sentiments in his atmospheric photos of back alleys around Central and Sheung Wan. The back alleys, mostly overlooked by pedestrians, represent unseen facets of the city that are quickly fading away before Hong Kong people grasp their meanings.

"There's a lot of life going on in these dark, hidden spaces," Leong said. "Yet they're being renovated at such a fast pace that nobody can recall their authenticity or keep track of their changes. I have many memories attached to these back alleys. They have long been a part of my life in the community."

With his emphasis on open communication, Galen Tse shows a brighter side of Sham Shui Po in his photos of various kinds of doors in the district. Tse has a special fondness for old, worn out objects for their inherent beauty, and their flexibility in getting the photographer's messages across.

"I'm interested in the commonplace. In shooting still life, I can choose to instill different meanings in the objects. It's a process of communication during which I can express my feelings for, and my views on, the changes in my home district. As for audience response, I'll leave my work to their interpretations."

Urban lights

The city's landscape as a dialogue is another underlying theme in the exhibition. Twenty-six-year-old photographer Lai Lon-hin finds inspiration in the symphony of lights and plants along Hong Kong streets. The combination, he says, brings out the paradox of urban life, where nature is illuminated by human activities.

"In the natural world, there's no light at night, while there're naturally no plants growing in the city," he said. "Together, they're a dual artificiality in the misty, gleaming universe. I chanced upon this chemistry one night shooting in Kennedy Town before a typhoon hit Hong Kong. It's become one of my subject matters since."

The artist's intuition rings out in his work called Evangelo Costadimas, a panoramic image of worshippers in Wong Tai Sin Temple. The anonymous figures form almost symmetrical mirror images on both sides of the picture, against the back lighting and smoke that paint an ethereal, introspective mood.

"Street photography is about unexpected juxtapositions, gestures and expressions that make up a narrative," Lon-hin said. "Hong Kong is a street photographer's paradise, since the whole city is teeming with life. I've done a lot of work regarding how Hong Kong people behave in and negotiate public space, especially in crowded places such as Mong Kok."

The landmarks in Hong Kong are sites for intersection of the past and present for So Hing-keung. The printed images of current buildings are manipulated to resemble old photos and paintings, playing on a reversal of time. The distorted images are also subtle hints to So's emotions over the subjects.

"There're these lines that look like electricity waves, which represent anger, So said. "The appeal of photography is that it brings new meaning to a subject. It's always fluid, even when the subject is static, and it's open to the audience to embrace it. As a photographer, I thrive to present things from different perspectives."

Future hopes

As curators Edwin Lai and Blues Wong remarked, Imaging Hong Kong is the first large-scale exhibition of Hong Kong photographers' works since 1993. More than a survey show, the exhibition marks a new stage of cohesion among the artists, and their determination to promote their works to the public.

"It's a retrospective on the diverse paths Hong Kong photography has taken, and a view on where it's going," Wong said. "From smaller galleries such as Shanghai Street Art Space, we've come a long way in launching this show in the Central Library. We'll definitely work on organizing more exhibitions and publications to showcase local talents."

The channels are hopefully widening as the hard work comes along. For Costadimas, his place in Imaging Hong Kong as one of the only two non-Chinese photographers bears recognition on his work in the Hong Kong photography scene. Lai, in particular, finds encouragement in his presence in the show.

"In Hong Kong, the path of a photographer is very rough, and it's easy to sway. It's inspiring for me to see the works of older, more experienced photographers who have persisted in their art for so long," Lai concurred. "It motivates me to keep working and learning, and I could do with more audience feedback."

For long-time photographers such as Go, Leong and Tse, the show is an occasion to reunite with fellow artists and review their unique sensibilities. They also take pride in the works of up-and-coming young talents, for whom Imaging Hong Kong is a great platform to introducing themselves to a wider audience.

"I hope the show will encourage more aspiring photographers to develop their creativity, which means finding their focus," Go said. "Nowadays, it's easy to be a photographer. Yet with the information overload in Hong Kong, it can be a challenge to hone one's artistic voice."

(HK Edition 12/31/2008 page4)