How to make a camera from rubbish
Many people may be stumped when asked what a roast goose has in common with pieces of cardboard. One startling reply is that both can be turned into a camera.
Innovative photographer Martin Cheung Chun-yeung once converted a roast goose - his favourite dish - into a do-it-yourself camera body. He pierced a tiny hole through the skin and inserted the most elementary of photographic materials - pieces of plastic and cardboard - to create a new version of the old concept of a pinhole camera.
Cheung, 33, has moved from poultry to the more conventional material of cardboard, and is planning to teach the skill to others.
He will offer free workshops on making pinhole cameras from cardboard at the Detour 2011 festival of art and design, from November 25 to December 11.
'With only a piece of paper, you can make a camera,' he said. 'You don't need any glass plates, lenses, metal - all those materials are creating a lot of waste in the world.'
Organised to run at the same time as Business of Design Week, this year's Detour festival has adopted the theme of 'Use-Less' - as opposed to useless - and will be held at the historic, former Police Married Quarters in Central. It involves workshops, exhibitions, installations, performances and forums.
Alan Lo Yeung-kit, chairman of the Hong Kong Ambassadors of Design, which is organising Detour 2011, said the festival 'brings together the work of designers who each have applied their unique thoughts towards a 'use-less' lifestyle'.
Lo said: 'Design is not a luxury and not something just for designers and artists. Design can engage the rest of the city, too.'
Veteran designer Jehan Chu said: 'Participants will find integrating the idea of 'use-less' and design into daily lives very practical and relevant.'
Sculptor Wong Tin-yan collected old, 'useless' pieces of wood and transformed them into animal cartoon sculptures. His work will be on display at the exhibition.
A highlight of the programme includes a custom-made bamboo stage - reminiscent of those traditionally used for Cantonese opera - which will be used during the opening ceremony, as well as at live music performances and a special light show.
The South China Morning Post is Business of Design Week's media partner. Detour debuted in 2006.
