“As Usual As Always” was a series inspired by the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement that occurred in Hong Kong in 2019 and lasted for half a year. This is uncommon as Hong Kong was known as ‘Weekend Protest City’. During this time, I was a photojournalist and witnessed many violent incidents. Despite the movement coming to an end, upon revisiting these places two years later, I question whether everything has indeed returned to normal.
My series explores the idea of what appears to be “normal”? A street without Molotov cocktails, a street without riot police or a road without protest banners? However, upon closer inspection, it reveals a deeper underlying truth.
The juxtaposition of the peaceful and seemingly unchanged appearance of the places with the memories of the brutal and violent incidents I witnessed creates a powerful contrast that provokes reflection on the nature of social and political upheavals and their long-lasting effects on society. My work challenges the viewer to consider whether the apparent return to normalcy is merely a facade and to question the stability and authenticity of the world around us.
I chose the Salt Print process, which can produce a vintage and slightly distressed aesthetic. This process creates a sense of nostalgia and timelessness that invites viewers to contemplate the passage of time and the impact of significant events on our collective memory.
