Anson Mak

Never Cross a River Twice, 2019. Single channel moving image, HD, Colour + B&W Stereo, 45’

探索關於消失、回憶，和觀看方法。拼湊二零一九年一月在印度的拍攝和十年前後觀塘裕民坊在重建之前的片段，這個作品觀察消失的現象，和其從鏡頭媒體的呈現，從而，我們怎樣與此連繫上、反思既有想法、回顧情緒，在再現現實環境的影音裡透視自己，在這種失去又尋回的狀況中來回。當一條河流、一個繁忙的城市中心，或法治的邊界，可以完全消失，也許更是時候，來看清楚自己的心。

This work explores the notion of disappearance, memory, and ways of seeing. Footage taken in India in January 2019 is juxtaposed with footage and photographs taken in Yue Man Square, Kwun Tong (Hong Kong) at 2019 and ten years ago. The essay film looks into the phenomenon of disappearance as representation through lens-based media in which, we examine the ways to connect; reflect on ingrained thoughts, and revisit emotions. We see ourselves through (and the awareness of) sound and image as a representation of actuality, going back and forth between the states of loss and rediscovery. When a river, a busy town centre, or even the boundary of the rule of law could disappear altogether, perhaps, it is the best time to look at our own mind more clearly.

The Ephemeral City

Officially, a Special Administrative Region of China, the city of Hong Kong is changing once again. Because of the new extradition law, Hong Kongers may be extradited to Mainland China to go through the legal system there. This caused many protests in 2019-2020, the time period when Never Cross a River Twice was created. The video expresses a sense of nostalgia and reckons with the instability of Hong Kong’s self-identity.