Victor Cheng, a photographer originally from Toronto, now documents the spirit of Hong Kong. During the Covid period lockdown, he turned his lens to the social architecture of the city, exposing its rich but complex character. Cheng’s goal is to impress upon you the incredible density of what he calls, ahem, an “organised chaos.” His recent photographic work highlights the Yick Cheong building, commonly known as the Monster Building or Monster Mansion, which is typically filled with locals and tourists alike.
Over the course of the lockdown, Cheng found the relative calm of Hong Kong’s streets an opportunity to photograph the city’s architectural wonders. And above all, he hopes that through his photography, viewers will come to appreciate the density and complexity of this vertical city.
“I hope that people would be amazed at how dense this vertical city is,” Cheng stated. His passion for capturing Hong Kong’s essence stems from his belief that the city is “actually quite modern, and full of skyscrapers.” This viewpoint is a far cry from the stereotypic concepts portrayed in classic kung fu movies. It’s quite a change from obnoxious stereotypes in films such as Rush Hour.
Cheng refers to Hong Kong as a “photographer’s paradise.” What happens when light and shadow combine to produce gorgeous effects. He took these pictures to the next level using slight tweaks in the Lightroom mobile app. These changes brought out the electric energy and creativity that the whole city has to offer.
The Yick Cheong building today is an icon, not only for its architectural importance but for its silver screen celebrity. Cheng noted, “I think it gained its nickname after it was in a Transformers movie.” This acknowledgment reflects the building’s place in contemporary culture while serving as a reminder of its historical roots within Hong Kong’s urban landscape.
Cheng shares his work on social media, inviting a broader audience to experience his vision of Hong Kong through his Instagram handle, @veeceecheng. His photographic record doesn’t stop at mere documentation. They subvert expectations and coax audiences to explore the nuances of urban existence in a metropolis known for its iconic highrises and vibrant thoroughfares.