The writer claims that Hong Kong’s colonial space is particularly a space of disappearance. However, what he means is disappearance does not imply going entirely unnoticed. It can work really well with projects of preservation and a concern for the present. The writer brings out three examples to support his argument. They are Hong Kong Cultural Center, Flagstaff House, and Repulse Bay Hotel. He against the use of preservation as history to bring about the disappearance of history. Preservation of these architecture intentionally add Chinese elements into colonial architecture or integrate the “old” and the “new”. It leads to the

Continue readingReading response: Abbas

The reading talks about how the buildings in Hong Kong show how the city has changed over time. The writer provides a valuable perspective on the complex interplay between architecture, colonialism, and identity in Hong Kong. It also mentions the constructed environment of the city reflects a process of “disappearance,” and draws attention to how colonial influences are gradually being replaced by a more Chinese identity. The reading also offers a helpful analysis of the role of architecture in shaping cultural individuality, based on the reading, the term “disappearance” involves a shift from the colonial history of Hong Kong, which

Continue reading[Reading Response: Hong Kong: Culture and the Politics of disappearance]

In the article, the writer mentioned that Hong Kong is an open city that is exposed to all architectural styles and influences, however, architecture has frequently been built and rebuilt due to the rapid economic development. I would like to express the feeling of regret on this point that Hong Kong will eventually lose its cultural memories, for example, Central mentioned in the text, remains only a little vestige of this History. We cannot change the fact that Hong Kong’s architecture is inscribed in building space as capitalism, owing to the hyperdensity and the economic status. Hong Kong is a unique

Continue reading[Reading response: Abbas, M.A.]

This article has discussed a lot about the relationship between technology and ethnicity in films. The writer has used the film Blade Runner to discuss the relationship between humans and replicants. If replicants have self-consciousness and faith, can we regard them as humans? I think cyberpunk stories always attract me because they are inspiring. They show conflicts that might happen when there is high technology but a low quality of life. Also, the architectures in this kind of film are very amusing because they are usually high-tech such as a smart home.   The writer also describes Hong Kong as

Continue readingReading Response: Darrell William Davis

The famous movie Gojira 1954 is considered as an expression of the public impression of nuclear explosion and natural disasters. The brooding and dark film during that time expresses the phobia towards the nuclear science which more Japanese people not familiar with. Since the period that Tokyo is still well-known as Edo castle, earthquakes and fire disasters never ended. The city is like being cursed that at least 31 fire disasters happened in the 5 centuries which is the whole history of this city. Gorija is not just a character, a monster that plays negative role in the film, but

Continue readingReading response: Tsutsui W.M.