close encounters

April 5, 2007 12:21 PM

Alluring and haunting photographs of life in Hong Kong: lost laundry, bastard chairs, copy artists, sitting in China, back door, wildlife trade [disturbing]. Michael Wolf has been linked before for his amazing architecture of density and tiny apartments. He has also collected historical portraits and propaganda posters.
posted by nickyskye (18 comments total)

Wow, what a treasure trove—great post!
posted by languagehat at 1:01 PM on April 5, 2007

Umm, back door needs a disturbing tag.
posted by Alex404 at 2:14 PM on April 5, 2007

So Charlie does, in fact, surf.
Top stuff, nickyskye!
posted by Abiezer at 2:26 PM on April 5, 2007

You're right Alex404, the insanely pink poodle in the back door section is pretty disturbing. Silliness aside, was it the photograph of meat on the floor that bothered you? Or were you kidding?

lh and Abiezer, so pleased you like the site. Abiezer, yeah, what was that surfing about? In the propaganda section the fat baby on the phone (#6) is good silly fun and the little girl carrying the giant persimmon to Mao (#5) is hilariously, accidentally inappropriate. That should definitely have a disturbing tag.
posted by nickyskye at 3:46 PM on April 5, 2007

I wonder if persimmons have the same symbolism for the Chinese as for us? - ie female sexuality? I'm guessing not, but who knows...? Unfortunately, my books on Chinese symbolism aren't on me at the moment.

Fantastic post, by the way, nickyskye. I particularly like the lost laundry - I have a thing for the poignancy of lost objects, like childrens' toys left behind in the park, books forgotten at bus shelters, that sort of thing...
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:39 PM on April 5, 2007

Those interested in more images of Hong Kong should also visit Hong Kong Photographic.

I'd posted the site in MeFi Projects shortly after launching the site, so I know at least a few MeFites had a look. The link seems to be gone now, but you can access HKP through my MeFi profile.
posted by bwg at 4:41 PM on April 5, 2007

I'm totally naming my new punk band The Bastard Chairs.
posted by Rangeboy at 5:52 PM on April 5, 2007

Thanks, nickyskye - Wolf's stuff is fabulous. I also love the historical portraits - wouldn't it be great to have the stories behind those pics?

bwg - Hong Kong Photographic is great - thanks.
posted by madamjujujive at 6:03 PM on April 5, 2007

Fantastic stuff. Miss the first two posts of this guys work. Thanks!
posted by slogger at 6:18 PM on April 5, 2007

Thanks nickyskye. I spent my formative years in Hong Kong and look forward to checking out all of these links.
posted by vronsky at 10:32 PM on April 5, 2007

That's not a persimmon... Mao likes BIG BUTTS!
posted by metaplectic at 10:45 PM on April 5, 2007

Thanks, madamjujujive!

My pics not be for everyone, but some will enjoy them.

Michael's work is even better when seen in galleries, with wall-sized prints.
posted by bwg at 11:20 PM on April 5, 2007

Not bad, though I could do without the pop-ups. One more reason I appreciate Flickr.
posted by Poagao at 1:00 AM on April 6, 2007

mjjj, You're so right, the photographs would be enhanced with info a little more info on his site. He obviously isn't a fan of captions. But some info would be better.

bwg, Enjoyed the HKP site, thanks. Wish the pics didn't have a big HKP on them though.

Poagao, Good point about the pop-ups, would have been too impatient if the photographs hadn't been worth it. You're right about the Flickr set up being better. Wish Michael Wolf would make a click to the next photo function on his site and maybe better size options too.

metaplectic, that's what I was thinking! lol

vronsky, [mash note], totally interested in your life. Where is your blog? I want to read about you. :)
posted by nickyskye at 6:56 AM on April 6, 2007

[this is excellent]
posted by Slithy_Tove at 7:37 AM on April 6, 2007

Aww nickyskye, Count Vronsky bows deeply and kisses your hand.

You can learn more about me here ;)
posted by vronsky at 12:11 PM on April 6, 2007

vronsky, You tease you, *blushes.
posted by nickyskye at 3:19 PM on April 6, 2007

Enjoyed the HKP site, thanks.

Cool. More to come soon.

Wish the pics didn't have a big HKP on them though.

Yeah, I know, and I wish people wouldn't hotlink to or steal my photos.

The watermark helps.
posted by bwg at 5:01 PM on April 6, 2007