Theme
The accessibility of green spaces in the city demonstrates Hong Kong’s ingenious urban planning. The island is also surrounded by the sea, which makes it perfect for panoramic viewing. Close to the Hong Kong University, along the seaside, is the Central and Western District Promenade. It spans 400 meters with a width of 6.5 meters, covering a total area of 5200 square meters. Its start is marked by a 7.5 meter tower, serving as an icon. The promenade has four piers and is situated next to the Western Wholesale Food Market. The path also is connected to the Wan Chai Promenade, which leads to the Victoria Harbour. Due to the high density of the population, public spaces offer people an alternative space to go to for leisure. The Central and Western District Promenade was completed in 2018 and its open air nature brings contrast to the surrounding high buildings. The project saw the notable addition of elderly fitness areas, children’s playgrounds, seating areas and landscape areas. The concepts the design took account of were openness, shared uses, diversity, and simplicity. These are therefore also the elements highlighted in the video. The promenade also makes use of its history by exhibiting pictures on the glass railing along the path as well as reinnovates itself, such as by repurposing used containers as toilet blocks. With these interesting design and architectural features, the Central and Western District Promenade is a space where people of all ages can come and relax.
Method and Reflection
Coming to Hong Kong, I found the proximity to the sea fascinating since it’s not something I am used to seeing regularly. My roommate brought me there the first time and told me that she would come whenever she felt emo. It is for sure easy to zone out while looking at the sea, disregarding other thoughts. I then went back a couple times for different occasions: chatting with a friend, celebrating the end of the semester, taking a stroll, etc… People go to the promenade for a variety of purposes, which I tried to demonstrate in the video. The other interesting aspect of this public space is that it is still bustling at night. It is a sort of microsociety, with a certain dichotomy of movement between the people running and the people sitting on the benches.
I gathered footage from my visits to the promenade on my iPhone and edited them on Capcut. I chose to put the song Photograph by Offonoff in the background because it is on theme with the city at night and people living in the moment. The fully translated lyrics say: “when we share this moment together, it’s as if the world has stopped. Close your eyes, take my time, let’s remember this moment, remember this moment.” The videos showing people moving are put at two times speed to show a higher amount of people doing and enhancing the speed dichotomy. The stills and videos are overlayed to simulate the different elements one’s eyes would follow while sitting there. The masks at the end were applied to contrast the stillness of the buildings and the movement of people as well as how each person has their own story to tell in the moment. To aid in focusing on other people, the shots are still and at eye-level. I tried filming shots while walking down the path to include some dynamics, but they were unfortunately too shaky and disrupted the flow of the video. The Central and Western District Promenade also displays cultural involvement, such as for Chinese Lunar New Year, when they decorated the barriers with special lights like rabbit ones. All in all, although the Central and Western District Promenade is relatively nee, it is already a considerable part of Hong Kongers’ leisure lifestyle nowadays.
Directed by:
Miriam Ziqian Xia
3036110916
References
https://www.hkiud.org/awards/2021/awards2021_bplp_merit.php
https://kor-translations.tumblr.com/post/153360941314/offonoff-photograph-lyrics-translation/amp