City of light
Canadian photographer Greg Girard is paying homage to his beloved Hong Kong next month with a one-day live event comprising a photography exhibition that includes a performance by an experimental post-punk band with a loyal following in the city.
“Greg Girard: Hong Kong Made Me”, which will take place on May 11 at M+ in West Kowloon, showcases Girard’s photos, many taken in the 1980s and 90s, alongside archival materials from other local film set photographers. The collection pays tribute to the heyday of the city’s film industry by highlighting the often-overlooked artistry of still photography in film production.
Girard, who will give opening remarks at the show, first visited Hong Kong in 1974 as a 19-yearold. He was instantly “hooked” on the “mesmerising city”, he told the South China Morning Post in 2017 and, after roaming the region, including regular visits to the city, he settled in Hong Kong in 1982.
During the 70s and 80s, Girard documented much of Hong Kong’s social and urban landscape, publishing photo books dedicated to the subject, such as City of Darkness: Life in Kowloon Walled City (1993) and HK:PM, Hong Kong Night Life 1974-1989 (2017).
He documented many of the city’s film sets in the 80s, a glamorous era of Hong Kong cinema. Outside film production, he is known as the creator of one of the more unusual photographic collections depicting Hong Kong’s transformation over the decades.
The M+ curatorial team has “always been fascinated by the cinematic quality of Girard’s photography”, says assistant curator Savannah
Shiu. “By capturing the decisive moment of a situation or staged scene, he invites viewers to imagine what could have happened before and after.”
Shiu says that “bringing these scenes to life in a sequence, in combination with sound and film extracts”, aligned with the vision of both Girard and the M+ team.
Girard, 69, now lives in his hometown of Vancouver, but maintains a strong bond with the city that “made” him into an esteemed photographer.
Shiu notes the event will also feature film-related images taken when Girard was a part-time editorial photographer. Familiar faces include directors Wong Kar-wai and Ann Hui On-wah, cinematographer Christopher Doyle and actors Chow Yun-fat and Cherie Chung Chor-hung.
“Hong Kong Made Me” also features a performance by experimental post-punk band
Gong Gong Gong, who were formed in Beijing in 2015 by Hong Kong-born vocalist-bassist Tom Ng and Montreal-born guitarist Joshua Frank. Drawing inspiration from African blues and techno to create eclectic sounds with Cantonese lyrics, the duo – they rocked Clockenflap in December – have a loyal following in the local indie scene.
“It was Girard’s suggestion [to pick the band],” says Shiu. “We liked the idea due to Gong Gong Gong’s own strong engagement with the city and experimental take on post-punk music that is evocative of Hong Kong cinema as if they were telling a story with secret agents, action and car-chasing scenes.” She adds the photographer and the band have been working in close collaboration on the project, which will be an exceptional sensory experience for those who enjoy old Hong Kong vibes and alternative music.
“Greg Girard: Hong Kong Made Me”, May 11, 4pm. Grand Staircase, M+ Museum, 38 Museum Drive, West Kowloon Cultural District. Standard tickets HK$120, available on mplus.org.hk.