Description of the theme:
Hong Kong has been well known for her hybridity-an estuary where the East meets the West. Admittedly, addressing such cultural fusion may become cliché. In my video essay, I have tried to reveal the obscure hybrid of ordinary and underground lifestyle in Hong Kong, especially in the context of Covid-19 pandemic.
In the light of the pandemic, the government has announced a series of ongoing disease prevention measures, including the social distancing policy, mandatory closure of bars and clubs, etc. After a long-term implementation of these measures, the absence of nightlife and extensive patrols aiming to ensure the execution of containment measures have become “normalized”. Besides, bars and clubs have always served as a venue for independent or underground artists to hold their performance. Hence their opportunities to promote their works are greatly reduced. As a result, all these entertainments and performances have to turn low-key, private, and thus become underground.
The video shows two perspectives of underground. The action of walking down the stairs informs us that we are both physically and figuratively “entering” the underground. Physically, the bar I have visited is genuinely located underground. Figuratively, the theme and activities of the event manifest a figurative sense of “underground”. The screened film and music acts, including rapper and DJs, are dedicated to creating independent art works. Most of their audience also enjoy their works with a mentality of appreciating non-mainstream arts. Besides, attending such a private party represents the underground lifestyle under the pandemic. Entering the underground, participants will be less aware of the existing policies. This can be reflected by their manner such as taking off masks, gathering closely, etc. Hence, the hybrid of ordinary and underground lifestyles lies in the coexistence of them and how people can quickly switch and adapt to different lifestyles, showing that Hong Kong has become a “hybrid city”.
Method of research and making of the video:
In order to research more into the underground lifestyles, I had inquired about the upcoming events which are privately held at underground venues and include performances by independent artists. Then, I personally visited the event and shot several clips that shows the different conditions between the ground and the underground. By editing, I compare and contrast how people in different roles play their “ordinary” and “underground” lifestyle. For example, police officers patrol the street to ensure the punctual closure of shops on the ground, while people enjoys their party underground. Hence, the hybrid of two lifestyles and how people switch to them can be shown.
Reflection:
The research and production is provocative. Acknowledging the importance of disease prevention measures in the Covid-19 pandemic, the difficulties in respect of cultural aspects and challenges encountered by artists are considerable as well. The mandatory measures have greatly restricted and limited the communication between artists and audience. Related events are then unavoidably held online or privately. Hence, the promotion of manifold arts and artistic interaction between people are reduced to a great extent. Besides, “the sense of place” (Abbas, 1997) of physically underground bars are magnified in a pandemic era. Merely separated by the ground or stairs, the lifestyles and people’s manner have already shown a noticeable variance. Hence more meanings are given to the place and it can better symbolizes the concept of “underground”.
Yan Ka Hin 3035829144
References
Abbas, M. A. (1997). Hong Kong: Culture and the politics of disappearance (pp. 63-
90). Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.
TVB NEWS official. (2020). YouTube. https://youtu.be/0yvf0dkLJ3c
I find the topic and the perspective very interesting. The interpretation of “underground” as literally being underground physically and on the other hand referring to figuratively identifying the activities of the underground events as “underground” caught my attention. Also, the connection made between the pandemic and the underground is very creative, the clips of the news on safety regulations and the clips taken in the underground bars can clearly reflect the idea. Regarding the organization, I liked how the video can clearly present the difference between the upper ground and the underground.
While I find the contrast shown between the underground lifestyle and the empty streets due to pandemic pathetic, it is indeed encouraging to see how different artists try their best to adapt to the restrictions and are still able to enjoy their time with audiences. Besides of the cultural fusion, these underground bars acting as a getaway for people to leave the pandemic and troubles aside is also what makes them unique.
Thank you for sharing your ideas with us. I truly appreciate your understanding of “underground.” You show us two perspectives of the underground, which is amazing. Underground does not just mean the physical location, say, MTR and bars, but it also means a lifestyle. Hybrid of ordinary and underground lifestyles coexists simultaneously, which makes Hong Kong a hybrid city. As the government has put kinds of policies, especially for those underground bars, it is wonderful to present the relationship between pandemic and hybrid cities by researching the underground.
Enjoyed your exploration of the double meaning of “underground”. It is unfortunate how the research part is not elaborated in any way in your writings, and very little was visible on the video. If you are using Ackbar Abbas’ piece to base your essay, I would suggest focusing on his notion of disappearance/reappearance rather than merely a sense of space, which many other thinkers were exploring as well. You could start by unpacking what is the sense of space that you meant here?
Furthermore, you can also highlight more of Hong Kong’s hybridity through the coexistence of these underground culture and pop culture. Shed a light on both sides, compare or contrast them on the screen could do you a big favour in asserting your argument through your narrative as well.