Re: South Island

Aberdeen, Ap Lei Chau, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, 2021

Community mapping

Heritage Interpretation

Digital Storytelling

Opdrachtgever

Urban Renewal Fund

Partner

Warehouse Teenage Club

Agenda

Social cohesion & community connection

“Re: South” was a 3-year collaborative community research project with Warehouse Teenage Club, a youth centre in Aberdeen. We mentored a group of 25 local youngsters who dived deep into the core of South Island - Aberdeen, Ap Lei Chau and Wong Chuk Hang - a district on the South Side of Hong Kong island, traditionally characterised by the fishing industry with a floating community of thousands of people living on houseboats.

Guided by an artist/illustrator, a filmmaker and a writer, the teenagers researched the history, talked to long-time locals and explored the unique characteristics of the district. They also had in-depth interviews with 20 long-time residents: owners and operators of century-old mom-and-pop shops, cha chaan tengs, ship wharves, factories, warehouses and of course the fish market. For many of the youngsters, this was the first time having a conversation with a person from an older generation. Reflecting on personal perspectives, they connected through a sense of pride of being a South-islander.

“The spirit of South Island remains kindled, from one generation to another. Stories of South-islanders taking on the tide and passing down the torch with resilience, passion and love.”

— Sheren, Project Manager

The youngsters worked with the mentors to display their findings in illustrated maps, guided neighbourhood walks and a book that was distributed in the community. They even put together a pop-up exhibition in the Warehouse Club about the “South Island spirit” joyfully discovered along the way:

Nostalgia - The unique culture of living with the water is weighted with deep bittersweet memories, people sharing stories of the past with a profound sense of nostalgia.
Vibrancy - South Island is a district of fast growth undergoing enormous change. With the fading fishing industry people had to get accustomed to living on the land, but sacred places and celebrations from the past always withstand the passage of time.
Perseverance - South Island is a melting pot of old and new. People draw strength from history to step into the unknown, navigating newfound challenges to build their new future.
Legacy - The spirit of South Island remains kindled, from one generation to another. People take on the tide and pass down the torch with resilience, passion and love.