David Hilgier Photographs

As impressive as Hong Kong’s skyline was to see in person, I was equally drawn to the buildings that exist in the shadows of those that reach the clouds. Their mosaics of texture and faded paint were a consistent backdrop to our wanderings.

Another morning rush on the MTA’s Tsuen Wan line. The entire length of the train filled with passengers on their way to begin the day’s tasks. Some engrossed by their devices, others less than thrilled with my desire to document the ebb and flow of commuters through Hong Kong’s metro system.

One of the many heartbeats of the city. The coming and going of the Star Ferry a consistent rhythm in the midst of comparative chaos serving as one of the connections between two areas of the city.

Rain was a constant presence during our time in Hong Kong. Sometimes light and brief, other times relentless. As we made our way to Kowloon for the evening, the International Commerce Centre reaches the bottom of the clouds.

I’ll always be enamored by the analog. Tangible texture and stenciled typography will be focal points I’ll continually be drawn to. Once again we cross the harbor to seek out our dinner and once again I’d be OK taking another lap.

After a day of transversing the globe from Denver to Hong Kong we arrived in the city rather late at night. Making our way from the Sheung Wan station to our AirBnb on Hollywood Road, we climbed a series of stairs in the pouring rain. As we got closer to our destination, the scent of incense continually amplified. The aroma from the temple that drifts through the surrounding streets was my first introduction to Man Mo and one of my first memories of the city.

Opting to rest our legs and escape from the passing nighttime showers, we make our way home on the upper level of a Ding Ding. The lights of the city helping illuminate the dimly lit interior of the tram.

The view from a tramway stop in Central, Hong Kong as a Ding Ding driver waits for passengers to embark and disembark his tramway before continuing the journey.

Throughout the city, forking from the main thoroughfares are a maze of side streets, alleyways, and pathways that offer vignettes into the daily lives and rituals of Hong Kong residents. In this instance, quick look through the window to my left and I’m momentarily immersed in the bustle of preparations for this restaurant’s nightly meal rush.

Within the midst of an ever evolving metropolis still exists this produce stand. Perhaps one of the most interesting juxtapositions I found in the city were scenes exemplified by this image. The resistance of the purposeful utilitarian against the constraints of a constantly modernizing city. A few blocks from this spot are the skyscrapers that touch the clouds commonly associated to a mental image of Hong Kong. Architectural masterpieces, yet, at their bases still exists the day to day. David vs Goliath so to speak.