"There are eyes everywhere. No blind spot left. What shall we dream of when everything becomes visible? We'll dream of being blind."

Paul Virilio

1. Gleaming escalators in Festival Walk, one of the many temples to consumerism in Hong Kong 2. Tsim Sha Tsui, the weather was quite nice while we were there - warm, but nothing that I'm not used to, coming from Singapore 3. Hong Kong Skyline 4. "Mobile Softee" - a surviving relic of Hong Kong's past; something that I hope won't disappear in the relentless pursuit of progress 5. Hong Kong's billboards and neon lights 6. Urban decay in Yuen Long - I don't think that label is entirely appropriate, the place is probably just poorly maintained 7. Alley, kind of like those in the Kowloon Walled City 8. Luxury apartments above Elements, which is yet another temple to consumerism 9. & 10. Shanty apartments close to Elements - one can say that it is a stark contrast. That being said, there is a certain charm to the buildings in both pictures.

On a slightly related note (well that was actually the main purpose of the trip), I'm officially a Hong Kong PR! I've just got to wait till July to collect my Hong Kong ID.

Image Credit: ArchDaily

Really nice, modernist house. Remarkably clean design, with all its sharp angular corners, yet not sterile or devoid of character (the brickwork does wonders). Somewhat reminiscent of Vincent Van Duysen's work, though if you look at the other pictures (via the link above), the railings. they seem really out of place. Just saying.

What else can I say, the show's obviously enthralling. And it is far more than elementary.

Image Credit: Makoto Yoshida & ArchDaily

A cold, bleak, dust-grey box sits among homes; its sullen windows allow for mere illumination, not warmth; its harsh, austere lines reminiscent of war bunkers.

This really makes you reconsider what is, and what isn't a home. While minimalism can take on a certain spiritual aspect to it, there is hardly anything spiritual or inspiring about this space, rather, it seems almost perfectly conceivable that the couple residing in this box are sadomasochists.

I'm perfectly aware that the Japanese hold minimalism, as well as the use of concrete (Ando) with high regard. But it strikes me that the owners commissioned this house as a space for self-mortification or self-imprisonment. Its possibly an act of penance. This house is not a home - just look at the entrance, the lack of any plants are an indictment of this house's lifelessness.

Without doubt, the concrete work is beautiful - the raw textures are simply mesmerizing, and the architect most certainly met the brief of crafting a residence that "use[d] of concrete for every part of the house including floor, wall, tables etc."

Compare this to what you see below:

Image Credit: ArchDaily

Is that not a marked improvement in terms of livability?

P.S. This post seems a tad excessive a post for just a mere house, right?
I'm just appalled that someone would want to live in such an environment.

Justice's Civilization vs. Marco Brambilla's

On a side note, Justice's film does seem somewhat reminiscent of the opening of Marc Foster's Quantum of Solace, doesn't it?

Image Credit: pinxi-tinxi

Found Poetry.