Polly | Swiss graphic designer - "As a paper-lover, I love how Hongkongers go back to paper for communication and promotion."
“I think people in my country don’t really understand how important Hongkongers’ fight is. As Switzerland is one of the most democratic countries in the world, freedom to us is like ‘air’, we are born with it - it is taken for granted. So I was wondering what I could do in an artistic way to help them understand.”
Journalist: Nata
Art: Lui
I’m a Swiss graphic designer. When I was little, I enjoyed collecting all kinds of paper, cutting and making them into my own posters. I guess that was my first try at being a designer. Even though my family members, who are all professionals, had doubts in me taking the path of design, I went on to finish a higher diploma and just graduated from a bachelor degree in that field.
Right before graduation, my four schoolmates and I participated in a project competition held jointly by our university and an art institute in Hong Kong. We were very fortunate to have won it, getting the chance to reside in Hong Kong from August this year to January next year, conducting workshops and lectures at the institute, and doing a personal project.
This is my fifth time in Hong Kong. My first time here is when I was 10 years old. My aunt and her family have been living in Hong Kong for 20-30 years, and so we travelled to Hong Kong during holidays, paying a visit to their home at Discovery Bay. It was a family thing back then when I came to Hong Kong.
I used to think Hong Kong is a very safe and comfortable place. My parents would allow me to wander around alone in Hong Kong even when I was under 18 that time. I wouldn't feel insecure. Meanwhile, back in Switzerland, I would often feel anxious when I was on the street by myself, as I have heard bad things that had happened to my friends, and neighbourhoods are far apart from each other, so ‘help’ is far away.
As a graphic designer, I am impressed by the advertising bills posted on the walls and the graffiti by the Plumber King everywhere in Hong Kong. The typography of Chinese characters and designs of the bills are visually stunning, even though I can't read them.
Another interesting thing that catches my eye is the large number of restriction signs in Hong Kong. The most hilarious one is the ‘No Climbing’ sign in parks (and there’re also the ‘No Cycling’ and ‘No Skateboarding’ signs). You seldom see these in Switzerland.
To me, Hong Kong is as busy as Paris, but not as chaotic at all. People here move swiftly and smoothly, the city is ‘fluid’, even though both its rent and buildings are sky-high.
There are always protests in Paris, even for trivial matters; I don’t think that’s the case in Hong Kong. And I didn't know what to expect when I learnt that protests had started in Hong Kong before my arrival.
On the plane from Switzerland to Hong Kong, my friend tried to ask a Hongkonger about the current situation in Hong Kong. However, he was hesitant to talk because he suspected the lady sitting between them was pro-government, and so he left her with his phone number.
When I finally arrived at the end of August, I was really overwhelmed to see what was really happening here. On the first day, we went to Kwai Fong to see the Lennon Wall there, I was so touched by everything. As a paper-lover, I love how Hongkongers go back to paper for communication and promotion, especially in this digital era where technology manipulates people. I was also fascinated by how Hongkongers play with the grids on roads, for example, spraying words between the lines of the zebra crossings.
When we were in Hong Kong, we put flowers at Prince Edward station. We put back the posters that were taken down by pro-government people (their actions are a kind of censorship). And, we read through the notes on the memos and posters to learn about the brutality of the Hong Kong police. To be honest, I was shocked at first when I saw ‘F**k the Popo’, as my name is Polly and my nickname is Popo, it is always associated with Winnie the Pooh as well.
I would say both triads working with police or police beating innocent people, are no-nos in our country. Let alone the fact that Hongkongers are just fighting for their well-deserved democracy.
I think people in my country don't really understand how important Hongkongers’ fight is. As Switzerland is one of the most democratic countries in the world, freedom to us is like ‘air’, we are born with it - it is taken for granted. So I was wondering what I could do in an artistic way to help them understand.
Now, I have decided to devote my time doing what should become a book on what’s happening here, by keeping a diary of my time here and taking photos of different Lennon Walls across Hong Kong every day.
"What makes Hong Kong, Hong Kong?" is a question I have in mind, and I hope to leave this question for Hongkongers to think about. ‘Hong Kong’s identity’ is also an interesting topic to work on. But if you ask me what’s my view on the situation in Hong Kong, I would say I am not here to judge, nor is my aunt who is living here, as she can always go back to Switzerland.
At the end of the day, no matter what happens to Hong Kong, I am proud to be a witness of something that might go down in Hong Kong’s history.
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