HK color: magenta

(1) orchids at the flower market (2) feathery blooms at University of Hong Kong (3) yarn and twine from graphicairlines show, "Flesh Mesh" (4) dragon fruit

by the sea...

About three weekends ago, I went to the South side of Hong Kong Island with my family. The weather was off-and-on cloudy but we stopped by Repulse Bay to look at the beach and then ventured to Stanley to walk around the market and look at the water.

(I had been told) that Hong Kong beaches were not the cleanest. When I looked for myself, they didn't look too bad, but the water was very still.. little to no waves! Each beach has a shark net around the swimming area, due to the frisky aquatic life. There are also a floating wood rafts in the middle of the swimming hole to sit on for tired swimmers.

I think the beaches in Hong Kong are pretty popular for youth, but many people also opt to have a day out on a "yacht" in which many friends rent a party boat and sail out to the middle of the ocean. You can bring floating rafts and just hang out around the boat- in the middle of the sea! sounds super fancy- but it can be a risk because you must book the boat in advance and the HK summer weather fluctuates easily. raining one day, sunny or hazy the next. if there is typhoon 3, the boat will still go out.

I enjoyed looking at the beaches, I don't think I will have time to spend a day sunning myself since my internship lasts until Sept 3rd and I leave Sept 7th. For those three free days, I basically plan on wandering aimlessly...I'm sure I can get a tan that way too!

locals relaxing at Repulse Bay colorful boats at Stanley

pop-up

While waiting in Sha Tin for a friend, I checked out a pop-up exhibit. The artists had created Hong Kong landmarks and structures from book pages. In a busy mall, this is one of the last things expected, but since then I have noticed many HK malls feature artist exhibitions- even in the mall I work in there is an art gallery!

happy buildings

it is easy to be overwhelmed by the great skyline of Hong Kong. The metallic layers and sharp edges line the harbour of both HK island and Kowloon, but traveling deeper into neighborhoods and behind the skyscrapers is real, raw culture.

One of my favorite items to photograph here are the apartment buildings. Though some may be old, many are painted with bright, happy colors and it is not uncommon to see a high-rise in pink, orange or teal. Though the steel corporate buildings may be nice for postcards, I think the HK apartments have more soul and character.

being an alien

In Hong Kong I feel so connected, so excited, so invigorated to learn and participate in everyday events. Yet, being unable to speak Cantonese or read traditional character really cuts my ability to fully comprehend and experience. Especially in places of my highest interest, like small eateries, markets and local shops, I am very frustrated that I literally cannot express myself or be treated as a local.

It feels like the sign at the carnival "You must be 'this' tall to ride the roller coaster". I'm just below that designated height allowed...and I have no control! I can see the situation, I can hear it and observe people in it, yet I am not a part of it. I guess it's like being a fish out of water, but I really want to understand land culture- ask questions about life and share experiences I have had. The special places in Hong Kong to eat, to shop, I do not think I will ever be able to fully understand because I did not grow up here, among this hardworking, tight-knit group of people. I have not witnessed the building and demolishing and rebuilding of apartments or malls. I can't say where has the best bubble tea or cheapest lunch is because I don't know the neighborhoods well enough.

It's frustrating and depressing because this is half of who I am. Half of this culture, this city, is in my blood. Yet I cannot read a menu or understand why a Cantonese saying is funny. I cannot control where or how I was raised, and I appreciate every experience I have had thus far, but it is weird to realize I literally am not 'in-tune' with half of myself. That something that is physically a part of me is so alien. I wish I could understand Hong Kong like locals.

Hong Kong Museum of Art

One of the first Saturdays in Hong Kong, I ventured over to Tsim Sha Tsui to check out the Louis Vuitton exhibit at the Museum of Art.The exhibit was different than expected: half LV product display, half art exhibition. International artists, funded by the Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la Création, each had a room designated for their artwork.

Work by Gilbert and George.

The ceiling of a room projection by Hong Kong artist.

The first project on display: a model of the Jardin d'Acclimatation designed by Frank Gehry (Canadian architect). With an exterior made of glass, the structure will house temporary and permanent art exhibitions. The project is funded by Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la Création and will be built on the western side of Paris. Made me think of you Mat DeLaire!Most of the other projects were short films or mixed media. My favorite was "Les oiseaux", shown on a small television screen. The director filmed birds "massing" in twists and turns at dusk. It was only 8 minutes long but really hypnotizing.

The LV designer luggage collection was not as extensive as expected, but still interesting because I never knew the history of LV brand. A truly inventive designer, Louis Vuitton created trunks for efficient travel. Early luggage catered to those traveling by steamship or train. The trunks were of a specific size with thoughtful compartments. My two favorite pieces were trunks that folded out into furniture: one opened to be a writing desk, the other blossomed into a bed. Fancy that kind of functional furniture in the 1800's!

LV collaborations under the direction of Marc Jacobs were also on display. Prints and products included neon graffiti and hyper pink roses by Stephen Sprouse, open mouth flowers and googoo eyed cherries by Takashi Murakami and twisted references from Richard Prince. (Even three of the last year's gauzy "nurses" were on display!) The exterior of the art museum has been covered by Prince's "Big City After Dark" wallpaper- pulp fictions altered, fading into a series of LV logos.
Related news: French artists Zevs was arrested in Hong Kong about a week after I went to the museum. Known for his usage of logos (one main focus is the LV monogram), he 'liquidates' his work by injecting bright paint. Perhaps for shock value, he was caught 'liquidating' a Chanel logo on a Giorgio Armani store front in HK. Check out Hong Kong's Art Statements Gallery where his work is currently being shown for more information.

chi lin nunnery

Mid July I went to Chi Lin Buddhist Nunnery with my auntie. Located at Diamond Hill, it was constructed with traditional wood-stacking technique that requires no nails.

There is a garden next to the nunnery with a golden pagoda and orange bridge. The whole complex is heavy and solemn. I found it strange to see such a peaceful place with cookiecutter high-rise apartments in the background. It's as if all old Chinese culture has settled low to the ground while the ambitious skyscrapers comb the clouds.