To many people, back alleys are dark and dirty places that draw neither fascination nor inspiration. But not to the internationally renowned German Photographer Michael Wolf, who has been fascinated and inspired by the happenings in Hong Kong’s back alleys. His new book Informal Solutions: Observations In Hong Kong Back Alleys (2016) is a documentation of his discoveries through his past 13 years of exploration.
Born in Germany and worked as a former photojournalist in Europe and the US, Michael Wolf has since turned his attention to capturing the overlooked qualities of big cities. In particular, his fascination with the city of Hong Kong – where he is based since 1994 – has produced many photographic artworks that are collected by internationally renowned museums and galleries, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, San Jose Museum of Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago.
In his new book, Michael Wolf presents the many manifestations of culture and life in Hong Kong’s back alley, where spaces are utilized in the most imaginative and unexpected ways. Through his discerning eyes, objects captured in photographs appear to transcend from their humble utilitarian origin to magnificent works of urban installation art. It seems inevitable that city authorities will one day sanitize the creative chaos in Hong Kong’s back alleys. But until then, we share the joy and jubilation with Michael Wolf in celebrating Hong Kong’s dynamic back alleys. Michael Wolf’s latest book will be launched at Tai Hei Cha Don on 22 January 2016.
Michael Wolf has published his photo series that explore interesting aspects of the urban phenomena in more than 22 photo books, including his celebrated series “Architecture of Density,” published in Hong Kong Inside Outside (2009), and the award-winning series “Tokyo Compression,” published in a book by the same title (2010).
'Informal Solutions - Observations in Hong Kong Back Alleys'
by Michael Wolf
WE PRESS, Hong Kong 2015
Bilingual (Chinese + English), ISBN : 978-988-14230-3-0HK, 264 pages, 1637 color images,185mm(w) x 250mm(h), Soft Cover, Perfect Binding
HK$ 298
The book will be available for sale during the book launch and Michael Wolf will be available for signing your copy.
Inquiries: Sarah Greene / + 852 6100 1295 – sarah@bluelotus-consultancy.com
