Tutorial 1 Reading Reflection
The reading “Building on disappearance” emphasizes Hong Kong as a space of disappearance of history within the architecture. Before reading, the title made me imagine ‘disappearance’ negatively. Nevertheless, the author suggests that preservation is a selection that tends to exclude the pain of history, advantageously. The example of Flagstaff House was interesting, which was preserved as a museum for the collection of Chinese teaware. Cultural preservation is what really is necessary for the country to place the image of identity. The harmonious accommodation of Chinese culture and colonial architecture was available due to displacement.
Moreover, the ways of viewing differ in three places, including in relation to a recent political mood, concerning representation and conceptualizing historically. An old joke, “A nice city, once it is finished” was impressive. Cultural memories are erased whereas profitable buildings are constantly rebuilt, thus, the disappearance was not only disadvantageous for Hong Kong.
Seoyeong Bak
3035660110
A well-thought-through reflection on Abbas’ reading – particularly your writings on the significance of cultural preservation and disappearance by means of erasure of cultural identity. Well done!