In the 1980’s the Hong Kong Government began a development plan in the Rennies Hill, moving residents to a nearby area named Tseung Kwan O. Years later, as the Tseung Kwan O development continued to grow, a police station was built on the top of the mountain to watch over the area. Eventually came a water and electricity supply, and an interconnecting road to Kowloon was built. The police station however was left abandoned on top of the mountain.
In 1996 the Po Yin Temple rented the empty police station from the government. For 19 years they were based there until they were forced to move out due to a further development plan by the government, to turn the police station into a Heritage Museum. In an unsuccessful attempt to remain at the temple, the residents protested and Liu Jianguo the owner of the temple, self-immolated setting his arm on fire. The temple has been present throughout the development of the Tseung Kwan O area, but due to the past political incidents connected with the building, the government chose not to include it as part of Tseung Kwan O’s history. This project is about this omission from history, and the series questions how the Hong Kong Government educated the public about its past.
Working with a 4x5 camera, Omission consists of photographs taken in Tseung Kwan O, now one of the fastest growing districts in Hong Kong. The population is increasing, housing developments are booming, and the transportation system is becoming more efficient as highways and bridges connect to other districts. Now there are plans for a Tseung Kwan O Heritage hiking trail, which is designed to educate the public about the history of the Tseung Kwan O area. At the end of the trail there will be a Heritage Information Centre and Museum, which will be housed in the old police station.
Ethan Lo is a visual artist and archivist based in Hong Kong. He is a recent graduate from Savannah College of Art and Design majoring in photography BFA. Much of his long term projects revolve around land use and human-altered landscapes. With his work he hopes to raise questions and draw attention to history and environmental issues.