Disappearing Back Alley
Scope
- New & Old Integration
- Art Tech & Data
Client
Status
Location
Disappearing Back Alley – Anywhere Door to the Neighbourhood is an exhibit featured in Hong Kong Shenzhen Biennale of Urbanism \ Architecture 2022. The exhibit was showcased at the North Point (East) Passenger Ferry Pier from September to November 2022.
This exhibit presents a virtual neighbourhood experience designed to rekindle public interest in the disappearing back-alley store culture. It allows visitors to immerse themselves in the charm and uniqueness of these hidden urban spaces. It aims to celebrate the cultural significance of back alleys as vibrant hubs of community life, commerce, and history. By blending technology with nostalgia, the exhibit provides an engaging way to explore a fading part of the city’s identity.
Proudly presented with neighbours
The exhibit is proudly curated in collaboration with Mark Lau from Oi Kwan Barber, a beloved back alley store on Spring Garden Street, Wan Chai. Known for its deep roots in the community, Oi Kwan Barber represents the enduring charm of Hong Kong’s back-alley culture. We worked closely with Mark through visits and activations of a neighbourhood living room in the shop. To authentically capture and showcase the essence of these hidden spaces, we documented their barber tools with hand sketches. The exhibits offer visitors an intimate look into the daily life, traditions, and communal value of back-alley stores.
Immerse in the alley
The 1:10 AR model offers a scaled-down representation of the back alley shops by activating the webapp. Whereas the 1:1 full-size AR world takes visitors into an immersive experience of the shop through the “Anywhere Door.” It recreates the sight and atmosphere of these hidden gems, bringing them vividly to life and fostering a deeper appreciation for their cultural value.
Key Partners
- Oi Kwan Barbers