A Forgotten Village in Hongkou
"We're sharing our bed with rats here!" The local man's introduction to his home on Xīnguǎng Road /新广路265弄 is harsh.
While downtown Hongkou around him has seen hasty development these years, the messy patchwork of lanes his home is part of stands out as a wild exception. Xīnguǎng Road is near the famed Qiújiāng Road electronics market /虬江路市场, that is waiting for redevelopment. But here, the shaky shanties, one to three stories high, seem to be remaining untouched.
Artist: Lili Ng
Artist: Lili Ng
"这里都是是私人家/ Houses here are privately owned," tells us our local guide. They don't belong to the government. The fact is plain for all to see. Neither has any house the same height as its neighbour nor do they match each other's design. Each house was built out of whatever was available and to the will of its owner. "We are forgotten by the government," our guide is not happy with his freedom. The demolition has left their hopes for wealthier life unfulfilled.
Artist: Toeniis
A ladder-like steep stair starts almost in the middle of the road. A text on the wall invites you to go up - the second floor is a seamstress's workshop. It is both her workshop and home. To cook food, the seamstress needs to open her window. The stovetop and all the tools are on the shaky platform built out of the window above the stair. No space for it inside. The days of hurricane see a hurricane also in her kitchen. Watch out!
Artist: Toeniis
Mr Shen's house is very different from all the others in the shantytown. His house is built with clean lines, has a cosy veranda with plants and a luxurious rooftop garden. With its neatness, it resembles a clean-cut Kazuyo Sejima designed Japanese urban villa. His inventions, built of handy materials are fascinating.
Artist: Arlyna So
Artist: Arlyna So