Ekaterina Busygina Imagines the Urban Geometry of Hong Kong in Neon

All photos by Ekaterina Busygina. Used with Creative Commons permission.

Without a doubt, Hong Kong is home to stunning architectural wonders, a number of which continue to be the subject of architectural and street photographers. Moscow-based Ekaterina Busygina is one of these photographers. One of her more curious-looking works set in the city explores the idea of its urban geometry set against a neon wonderland. One can say it’s inevitable given that the city is already famed for its neon signs, but perhaps these shapes and patterns have never been painted dripping in neon in this manner before.

Interestingly titled Neon through the looking-glass, this series indeed hints at Hong Kong seen through an alternate reality. Busygina, inspired by how “people see you and do not see you at the same time,” photographs everyday scenes that also portray the dizzying urban patterns and textures of the city. Then, she renders them in a bright blue and pink duotone to demonstrate the idea of a different Hong Kong that exists unseen.

“They are focused on their affairs, in their own unusual world. They seem to feel the fluctuation of reality from your presence, from changing the position of the sun, the angle of view, architecture or scenery. But at the same time, it does not matter at all in comparison with their own world and affairs. It’s like going through the looking glass. The world is changing from a different perspective.”

This series and its bright treatment may not be an eye-catching or pleasing look for some, especially when viewed from screens. But this would look great when printed in risograph, whether as an art print or a zine. Such a different take on architectural photography calls for a different kind of printed material, and it would be great to see how that turns out.

Do visit Ekaterina Busygina’s website and Behance portfolio for more of her beautiful architectural photography projects.