[ISEA2024] Paper: Hin Nam Fong & Pak Hang Wong — An Image-based Multimodal Approach to Post-colonial Everyday Visual Experiences: A Case Study of Superimposition (UK-HK)

Abstract

Keywords:
Multimodality, Post-colonial Visual Experiences, Film Swap, Photogrammetry, Photography, Artistic Research

The colonial history connects the United Kingdom and Hong Kong culturally. Even today, colonial objects and architecture are still ordinary in Hong Kong, creating post-colonial visual experiences. This paper proposes an image-based multimodal approach to explore new embodied post-colonial visual experiences. The approach aims to enrich the existing historical way of examining such experiences. Starting from examples of post-colonial space and objects in Hong Kong, the paper discusses colonial history and its impact on everyday visual experiences. Following is a literature review on multimodality as a speculative approach to anthropology, which establishes a theoretical framework for the later discussion. Lastly, the paper introduces and elaborates on an image-based multimodal approach by discussing a collaborative artwork Superimposition (UK-HK), which uses film swap and photogrammetry to examine post-colonial everyday visual experiences.

  • Hin Nam Fong is a Hong Kong-based media artist and researcher. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative media from the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong and a Bachelor of Arts degree in visual arts from the Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University. As a doctoral researcher at the School of Creative Media, his practice and research focus on images and representation of spaces. His have exhibited artworks in various exhibitions and online platforms, such as Chiang Mai Photo Festival 2020. Apart from artistic endeavours, Fong is also engaged in artistic research. He has published his artistic research at academic conferences and journals, such as ISEA 2022 and Technoetic Arts.
  • Wong Pak Hang, Samson (b. 1995) lives and works in Hong Kong. He is currently studying for a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Media at the City University of Hong Kong, and in 2018, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Wong expresses himself through digital and 2D mixed media, including photography, video, and installation. The content of works is related to modern life and habitation in reality and virtuality. Recently, he was awarded WMA Sponsorship Recipient – FotoFest, the ‘2046 Fermentation + Fellowships’ by Para Site in 2022 and the ‘New Light Exhibition Scheme’ by Lumenvisum in 2020 and shortlisted for the 24th ifva Awards (Media Arts category) in 2019.