Inspired by the proliferation of art during the Umbrella Movement and in a good will to uplift spirits, a group of Hong Kong graphic designers, media workers and photographers teamed up to bring a dash of creativity to the city under its political haze. They called themselves Ying Light Painting (形.光). I talked to Alex and photographer Simon Lun about their intriguing project.

(The conversation below is moderately edited for fluency. A: Alex, S: Simon)

Please introduce the project you are working on now.

A: The whole project started in October. The current environment of HK is quite depressing and full of negative messages, the team want to do something to bring positive energy to others. We focus most of our effort in the Umbrella Movement since they are the one who need a lot of support and encouragement.

From ‘Hong Kong Update & In-Depth Look At Roots Of Conflict’ in Popular Resistance. Daily Movement News and Resources

Since the pictorial possibility of ‘pixelstick’ is unlimited, we have tailor-made many different images or quotes for people to choose. We believe they will share the photos in their own social network and spread the encouragment to more people.

How do you prepare before shooting?

A: We leveraged on a LED stick which can be programmed to show different colors across time. Using long exposure, the LED stick will be able to generate a completed picture. Since the visual generation depends on the person who handle the LED stick, the final outcome will be different and every picture is unique.

This is a latest technique developed in US last year. We believe we are the first group in HK to use such equipment to take light painting photos.

Based on different project, we will design the images that we want to photograph, and then picked the right spot in the city to take our pictures.

Do you have any new projects in progress after the umbrella movement?

A: We are working on a project to reconstruct old/ disappearing places in all parts of Hong Kong using light painting.

Are there any mentors/ photographers/ young photographers/ artists that you draw inspiration from?

A: During the Umbrella Movement, we find out that HK people are very talented and creative. We are inspired by a lot of public art pieces in different occupying sites.

S: In the field of light painting, I must mention Janne Parvianen. He is a talented artist who paints landscape with light and produces exceptional photographs. 

How does Hong Kong inspire you artistically? Living in a city with such dense visual elements, does it influence your aesthetic and artistic thinking?

A: We don’t have an answer to this. But we do believe we can do something great because we love our city. This is our source of power and inspiration.

From 'Hong Kong Update & In-Depth Look At Roots Of Conflict’ in Popular Resistance. Daily Movement News and Resources

Growing up, have you ever imagined being a photographic artist?

S: I liked to paint when I was younger. I thought I would become a painter, but I soon gave up the idea because my family told me that painters’ fame only came after their deaths.

What is your first camera? What is your first memory with photography?

S: My first camera is a Canon PowerShot A70. I bought that to replace my old family film camera. I was in primary six, I brought it to school to photograph my primary school graduation. I was amazed that I can review the pictures instantly and look at them on my computer. My interest on digital camera and its technology grew.

When did you open your eyes to photography and start to see photography as an art form/ a way of expression?

S: Camera is a medium that records light. We thought we can have more fun with light. Not only do we use flashlight and LED stick to render images, we want to establish a relationship between the rendered images and the environment.

Have you attended art school? Is art school training important to your photography?

S: I graduated from a digital visual design course offered by City University of Hong Kong. I am studying media and cultural studies. I learned basics about the mechanism of camera. I think one cannot better it photography through 'training, but through experimenting and practicing.

All members of Ying Light Painting: Simon (top left), Alex (below left 2)

To see more of their work, check our their Facebook page. 

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