Magnum Photos exhibition on the meaning of home celebrates 50 years of Hong Kong camera shop
Show at Hong Kong Arts Centre features the work of 16 photographers from legendary agency, including Taiwanese lensman Chang Chien-chi’s pictures that go behind the doors of New York’s Chinatown
When Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, George Rodger and other photographer friends established Magnum Photos in 1947, little did they know their cooperative would become one of the most important creative agencies.
Magnum’s photographers are among the best in the world and, having documented everything from wars, famines and other disasters to Hollywood personalities and politicians, their collective archive provides an unrivalled visual record of the past 70 years.
Using the same model of camera (the Fujifilm GFX 50S), the photographers have approached the theme of home not just as a living space. Among those whose work is featured is Taiwan’s Chang Chien-chi.
“Magnum gave me opportunities but with those came responsibilities,” says Chang, who has been with the photo agency since 1995, and will attend the Hong Kong opening of “Home”. For his series, “China Town”, Chang has tapped his 20 years of photographing immigrants in New York’s Chinatown, as well as their families back home in Fujian province.
Photo exhibition captures Hong Kong’s transition
“America is pretty much a country made up of immigrants … kind of in-between homes,” the photographer says. “They must be thinking about their home, back in China, and also trying to make a new home. Chinatown is full of tourists, but what is difficult is to go behind the door. It’s not secret, but it is difficult to get in.”
“HOME” will run at Pao Gallery, 4/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre, August 19-27, tel: 2582 0200.
