100 x 100
photographs of residents in their flats in Hong Kong's oldest public housing estate
100 rooms,
each 100 square feet in size.
Click on the link and think...how different is my life than this? How is it the same?
We all need a place to call home.
We each make it unique to us.
I'm amazed as I ponder each one, and think that tomorrow millions of Americans will be going out to buy more stuff.
Find much more about this artist and project, as well as very powerful thoughts about the meaning of our space, here.
Those pictures will really make you think. Those rooms look smaller than the dorm rooms my son has lived in, and he didn't have to use his room as a kitchen.
ReplyDeleteMy husband, myself and a friend of ours were just having this discussion last night. Our friend and his wife are thinking of having another baby. They currently have three children and a house of about 3,000 sq ft. They don't think their house is big enough for another baby. Then they started to smack themselves...what is wrong with us? My husband was raised in communist Poland, where 3 families occupied a two bedroom/1 bathroom apartment. This puts everything into perspective for me personally.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, that does make you think doesnt it. I should definately shut up whinging that I dont have enough space for books. Blimey.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly makes you ponder the nature of life and what it is to live. Especially if you live in a developed country you forget that you don't actually need most of the things that you have, that you can actually get by without them.
ReplyDeleteThis is really compelling - both the size, and the individuality expressed in the photos.
ReplyDeleteI finally got out my tape measure. 10' x 10' is my dining area, minus a built-out alcove.
An average jail cell in the United States is 96 square feet.
The 31' sailboat I lived aboard for some months would have had approximately 160 square feet of living space, and could sleep four. Take away the galley and head and it might have been about 100 square feet.
My current apartment is 840 square feet - home for 8 people.
But no windows..... At least my dining area has a window.
And I have too much stuff.
I suddenly feel like giving thanks, again.
Me, too, Shoreacres. It puts everything in perspective for me, and I'm incredibly humbled. (I love that you got out your tape measure and actually measured the space you're in. I live in a sweet house built in 1961, surrounded by McMansions, and I love the small space I inhabit. But, it isn't really small when I look at the homes in the world around me. You should have seen the "cabins" in Italy on the coast where people vacationed...they were so content with a bunk bed and a kitchenette. Again, I'm humbled.)
ReplyDeleteThese photos give a new meaning to studio apartment. Wow! Fascinating, on many levels.
ReplyDeleteBellezza, like you said, this is so humbling. I suddenly feel guilty having this much space, and I have been complaining that our apartment was too small for the five of us. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI was born in Hong Kong and grew up there in the late 50's and 60's. During those years, I was privileged to live in a three-bedroom apartment. But even as a child, I was very aware of a familiar saying: "A family of eight in one bed". I always wondered how that could be possible... unless they took turn sleeping. Such a description of the living condition of many during those days was lesson enough for me in social awareness, and I learned early on how fortunate I had been.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures make me think, once again, what really are the essentials. While quality of life may be related to our physical, living environment, what makes us content, however, may not be the physical and material.
Thanks for the link Bellezza, just in time for thanksgiving... and the day after.
Thanks for posting this link - I can't wait to share it with my girls. What a compelling photo project! Definitely something to stop you in your tracks and rethink a few things.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I backpacked to Hong Kong twice and stayed in one of the oldest apartment/office building turned lots of budget hostels. The room was tiny, possibly close to the ones in the pictures. You can hardly crouch in the bathroom because it's so small -- to close the door you need to be standing sideways. Space in Hong Kong is incredibly precious. I heard from a friend that even 4-5 stars hotel rooms were small.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing. In spite of the incredibly small space, some of these dwellings are nicely decorated. Reminds me of a little bit of being on my dad's live-aboard boat. Not much space for any "extras."
ReplyDeleteWe've lived in very large homes, but have discovered we're happiest in our small 1930's house. It has character and a cozy feeling that you just don't get in those huge houses with the high vaulted ceilings. We have 700 square feet on each floor and most of the basement is liveable (or suitable for storage), so we have plenty of room for the two of us. The only time I feel crowded is when we're entertaining more than 2 couples (plus us). For larger gatherings, we wait for warm weather and spend most of our time on our deck.
Your house was built the year I was born!
I guess we can say that people have an insatiable desire for things ;)
ReplyDeleteI had this Filipino-Chinese classmate in college who comes from a considerably well-to-do family. They have two houses her in the country, but his dad works in Hong Kong and lives in what I think is something like those shown in the pictures. I'm not sure what to think of it, on one side it sounds like admirable sacrifice, on the other side it sounds like sad excess. Of course, I'm not in any position to judge. After all, everyone has his own reasons.
I hope you're doing great Bellezza! It's great to be in touch with the community again :)
I've stayed in something like a 3 or 4-star hotel in Hong Kong before and the rooms do look smaller than even the ones you'd see here in the Philippines. Well, Hong Kong after all is a pretty small place and there are a lot of immigrants and tourists there. So yes, it's easy to see why space is such a precious commodity there especially in downtown. As for celebrities and rich business, I believe they usually have big houses in posh villages outside the city.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing thing to see. Each one is so different, using that tiny space in different ways. I can't imagine having children in that size of living space.
ReplyDeleteI had to look through it twice, and now my mind is wondering how many stories could be told, the 100 narratives are going to be something I always wonder about.
Hey, Mark David, I've missed you! I hope all is well in your world, and it was good to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good point you make, Melanie. 100 narratives for sure, each one would be so fascinating. I like the way the photos showed me a whole new way of living, and really brought to home all the blessings I have but certainly don't deserve more than any one else.
ReplyDeleteOh I certainly missed you too! All is well in my world, I just got really busy with work and other stuff in the past weeks. I'm very happy to have some time for reading and blogging again :)
ReplyDeleteIsnt it amazing how much we take forgranted!.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how the residents of those rooms would feel. -
You wouldnt hear the rain on the roof, or see the outside world - yet you are safe, warm, and no doubt if you so desired you could make friends with neighbours...
I know homeless people who would love a roof over there heads, yet dont want to be "boxed in". Or the limitation of what they spend their money on. They enjoy the ability to move around and make friends.
Yet I also know women living in a hostel in Australia, with not a lot more room than that - and they are happy - it is not the space - but the place. - Security and community allow us to face our demons.
I heard on the news the other day that houses are getting bigger - apparently people are building them with all that they want as they intend not moving around so much - media rooms, games rooms, spare spare bathrooms, outdoor areas.. and on it goes.
The moral of the story - it is how we see ourselves that is important - not what others think. Some of those photos showed people who took a great deal of pride in thier homes -
I agree. One word that crossed my mind right now is "relativity" :)
ReplyDelete[...] thanks to Dolce Belleza, who first made me aware of Michael Wolf’s work. His Hong Kong: Inside/Outside is available [...]
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