A proximal visit

THE STAIR CULTURE PROJECT

INTRO

In recent years, documentary research has evolved along with the development of usable 360 filming rigs. Using this technology, this work presents a snapshot of the daily life along selected staircases in Hong Kong, as well their use as arts and performance venues. These short films allow the visitor to become part of the action, able to view the scene multiple times from various angles. In addition to being presented at the Connecting Space in Hong Kong, the films are also available online so as to immerse an international audience in the both the socio-ethnographic research of the Hong Kong Stair Archive and in the spaces themselves, through what very closely approximates the experience of being in Hong Kong, on the stairs.
This project is a collaboration between the Cast / Audiovisual Media program at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Connecting Spaces Hong Kong – Zurich, with technical support provided by the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong.

Full Spherical Videos

All videos are seamless spherical, filmed with a 6-camera set up.

Full Spatial Audio

All videos use a full spatial audio mix. Recorded with the new Sennheiser AMBEO VR microphone.

THE PRODUCTION

THE 360° VIDEOS

We met Melissa Cate Christ in Summer 2016. She is in charge of a research project at the Polytechnic University of Hong Kong that explores the sociocultural development of stairs in Hong Kong. The phenomenon of stairs in Hong Kong is only fascinating at second glance: Hong Kong is made up of skyscrapers and high-traffic roads. What’s missing are public places inviting the citizens to interact informally. Stairs can provide these places even when space is very limited, allowing markets, performances, open lunch tables and other uses to appear.

THE DOCUMENTARY VIDEOS

In this 8 movies, we explore the stairs of Central Hong Kong in an immersive documentary approach. Complete with audio overlay to give a context of the situation. Please use the Chrome browser to see the 360° videos.

THE ART PERFORMANCE

Together with Alain Chiu and Trilateral Lab, this very unique art performance on Shin Wong Street was developed.

IMPORTANT HELP

Partners & Sponsors

SENNHEISER, ZURICH

Sennheiser provided us with the prototype of the AMBEO VR microphone. The easy setup and the extraordinary audio quality makes the AMBEO VR the setup of choice.