Artist stays overnight at three Hong Kong McDonald’s outlets for more than a year, learns of community and ‘being safe’
Mainland native Ma Yujiang’s experiences as a new resident of the city give rise to art exhibition of gathered receipts and nighttime photos
For more than a year, artist Ma Yujiang, 30, spent his nights in 24-hour McDonald’s outlets in Hong Kong. On average he saw about 15 regular McSleepers frequenting each of the three branches he visited. And he fondly recalls preferring to spend the night with strangers rather than going back to his lonely home.
“It’s weird, but sleepers at each McDonald’s have formed their own communities with certain rules,” the mainland native says.
Such rules include regular sleepers occupying sofas in the inner areas of a branch while newcomers take up spots closer to the front door; women taking seats in the centre area with brighter lighting; and most importantly, no talking to other sleepers.
“There are regulars who see one another every day, but no one ever chats,” Ma explains. “Most people just seem tired. Their eyes are numb and they seldom look up when someone enters. You can only hear the hum of air conditioners and the background music playing throughout the night.”
Ma attributes the silence among fellow sleepers to the group’s “extreme sensitiveness” and simple hope to be left alone.
“By avoiding talking to others about what they’re going through, they try to retain some self-respect,” he adds. “They just want a place to hide. The indifference among them creates a sense of being safe.”