Hong Kong may be one of the most notable three-dimensional, vertical cities in the world. The city’s bustling, high-level urban pedestrian network is linked by the many footbridges that connect those iconic high-rises, allowing for kilometers of covered walks without ever reaching street level. My video essay focuses on the footbridge that connects the IFC mall and the central ferry piers, a bustling crossroad for all walks of life that offers heterogeneity and the opportunity for encounters.
However, on the weekends, the footbridge is magically transformed. Domestic workers gather on every patch of shade to enjoy their one day off. They rent used cardboard boxes from local sellers to sit on and for a bit of privacy. Then settle in to play cards, eat, Laugh, socialize, or catch up on sleep after a long hard week. The open footbridge originally for circulation is now occupied and privatized.
Most public activity occurs in two spheres: public outdoor space and private inside space. However, in Hong Kong, ownership is less important than use. The distinction between public and private places has become so blurred that a pedestrian traveling through the city would frequently pass through both public and private areas without notice. Footbridges made this possible by changing the nature of space.
The mixture of public and private spaces can create a vibrant and diverse urban environment. We can appreciate the unique character and vitality of Hong Kong’s urban fabric here, on the footbridge.
For this assignment, conducting research and creating a video essay are powerful and entertaining approaches to re-experiencing and understanding the city we live in. Personally, the process is even more interesting and rewarding to me than the outcome.
For the research part, I read articles, news, and government reports online and find footbridge is a unique and essential part of the urban fabric of Hong Kong. In many districts of Hong Kong, enormous networks of interconnected malls, office skyscrapers, and residential structures have replaced traditional pedestrian pathways. The footbridge has become the new ground and inherited its character. It is definitely a space worthy of further study.
The most exciting part of this assignment for me is the shooting. I went to the central pier on a rainy weekend and set up the tripod in the middle of the footbridge under the gaze of passersby and domestic workers, whom I prefer to call Jiejie, in English, the elder sisters. It is hard to speak to a stranger for me. I approached the busker Jiejie first and asked for her permission. She was so lovely that she allowed me to film her immediately and did not ask for any reward. It is pleasurable to sit on the opposite side of the footbridge and listen. As for the choice of songs, halleluiah must be the easiest one to gain compassion; that is also the one she sings the most. However, after I started filming, the Jiejie sang other songs about love and dream. Singing may be her way of addressing her individuality and personality. Beyond making a living, her voice has more stories to tell.
When filming other Jiejie, I found one song that all Jiejie like and also one of my favorites is ‘Always Remember Us This Way ’by Lady Gaga. When they sat in a circle and sang along, I actually was singing in my heart with them. They are truly happy picnicking on the footbridge where thousands of people pass them by. Maybe they do not care, or perhaps they do, but they want to cherish the moment and enjoy themselves more.
For me, the biggest challenge is to convey the concept in a visually attractive and engaging way. Unlike the conventional ways of architectural presentation, drawings, and photos, that is instant, video has one more dimension: time. When communicating space in the review, I tell the story verbally and let the reviewers create their own storyline of visualization, moving their eyes freely on the images on the board. However, to be a director of a video, beyond simply putting materials on the board, one has to organize and define and complete the story using pieces of moving images.
I think My video is more like a documentary than a movie. The camera shots are monotonous and boring. The narrative is calm and long. Despite the lack of practice in direction, another reason might be my constant style of articulation, straight forward and less poetic. Looking back on my studio work, this kind of sensibility is also missing. I should really watch movies, go to exhibitions, and read more often.
Yang Yiru
3035844613
Reference
https://www.hyd.gov.hk/en/information_corner/hyd_factsheets/doc/e_Footbridges_and_Subways.pdf
Lam, S. K. N., & Yu, A. (2022). City of Skywalks: Exploring Hong Kong’s Public Space and Power of Discourse from Footbridges. Social Sciences (Basel), 11(12), 546–. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11120546
Rotmeyer, J. A. (2010). Publicness of elevated public space in Central, Hong Kong : an inquiry into the publicness of elevated pedestrian walkway systems as places and non-places [Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Hong Kong, 2010.]. https://doi.org/10.5353/th_b4730029
陳曉昕. (2015). Pedestrianized and elevated for the community? : review on how multi-layer pedestrian network changes a residential community in Hong Kong [[University of Hong Kong Libraries]]. https://doi.org/10.5353/th_b5571587
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2011-07/06/content_12841155.htm
https://zolimacitymag.com/slow-hong-kong-the-city-in-693-footbridges/
https://docomomo.hk/project/pedestrian-footbridge-central-2/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN0oX30H8xM