Hong Kong Photography : 100 x 100 sq ft Rooms in Shek Kip Mei Estate

I previously posted about the photography of Michael Wolf, who has shot alot of interesting series of photographs in Hong Kong and China. His series “100×100” is currently on show at the Robert Koch Gallery in San Francisco until 30th June.

Technorati Tags: 100×100, Hong Kong, Michael Wolf, photography, Shek Kip Mei, San Francisco

About 100×100

Shek Kip Mei Estate, Hong Kong’s oldest public housing estate, is composed of 100 rooms, each closet-like in size at only 100 square feet and built in response to a devastating fire in the 1950s that left thousands homeless.

In a new series of photographs called “100 x 100,” Michael Wolf captures the residents of this housing complex who are almost enveloped by the diminishing space around them, their belongings stacked to the ceiling.

100 x 100 in Michael Wolf’s Portfolio

100 x 100
From 3rd May - 30th June, 2007

Robert Koch Gallery
49 Geary Street, 5th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108 map
tel. +1 415 421 0122

More shots below:

Share and Enjoy:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

 Send this post to a friend

2 comments   |  1,199 views  |  categories : China, Hong Kong, Photography

1 HKer { 07.13.07 at 7:14 pm }

I wonder if Michael Wolf the photographer ever revealed to these people his intention of publishing these photos of 100 private spaces to be sold for money. Knowing how conservative the Chinese are, he probably lied to get his shots.

I fail to detect any human element in his photographing and displaying of pictures - people’s homes are more like exhibits for him, placed neatly one next to another.

I’ve seen his other book called back door front door or something like that - a book full of mops and he’s calling it a book on Hong Kong! He seems to really hate the city where he’s making a living.

I also fail to locate any gratitude or greatness in him as a person or a photographer.

2 sifu { 07.13.07 at 7:26 pm }

Hi HKer,

I haven’t seen much of Wolf’s work other than from the links on this site, but I think your points sound valid. I think there is a fine line between these people’s homes looking like exhibits for the rest of the world to peer into and looking like intimate portraits of these lives.

The gratitude or greatness - could this be the result of professionally distancing himself from his subjects?

Leave a Comment