Photography as tool of investigation, by Cliff Kwok

PaK Chai (栢齊)

•An local activist photographer

•Social invisible

•Old public housing, old streets

•Recent works:

•Queen’s Pier (皇后碼頭)

•Wedding Card street(喜帖街)


About the Queen's Pier

•built in 1925, by British Colonial Government

•Closed for land reclamation

•Completely demolished

Pak Chais' Concern

•Social function >> historical value

•Who use the pier (public space)?

•Camera as Investigation tool

–Took photo every 30minutes , 24 hours

Discovery from the photos

•Multiple functional

•Daily users:

–many different social groups for various activities

–Daily schedule (from morning to night)

•4-5 am underground exchanges

• 6am elderly practiced Tai Chi

•8am group of housewife enjoyed their fan dancing

•10am wedding couples taking photo

•12 pm construction workers enjoyed their lunch

•2pm old men drink beers and played Chess

•4pm foreign domestic helpers chatting

Consequences of demolishing the Pier

•Break social network, if the place they daily gather is destroyed

•10-minute walking distance from the town centre exclude social activities

Conclusion

•Photography as tool of investigation

•Function and Importance of public space

Discussion

•Do you think Public Space is important? Why?

•Do you think that Public Space can enhance social relation and communication?

•Do you enjoy Public Space? Where (parks, open plazas… )?

acknowledge: photos by Pak Chai