gunzzel
hem_project_BV_01/05/14
This is one of a series of photos I have been taking as part of a project exploring the tight urban network of narrow alleyways in Saigon known as 'hems'. Much of the city's living happens in these labyrinthine, light-deprived spaces- the population density is high. In my suburb the hem is the main living space- there are in excess of 181,000 people living in just 5 square kms. The hems are places of love, family, study, recreation, procreation and commerce, as well as the more seedy practices of prostitution and illicit drug use. The roles played by each inhabitant in a hem are many, and guessing who does what for whom in these lanes is a fools game. Saigon defies such classifications. It can be a shadowy, disingenuous place where allegiances are fluid and trust can evaporate like the ethers. But the people are mostly friendly and often like to chat with foreigners.
This picture was taken in the hem system off Bui Vien St. The hems here are often tiny- not even wide enough for pushbike traffic. The approach I take is to enter the maze and get lost. Eventually I will find a sliver of light, a subject and perhaps a story.
hem_project_BV_01/05/14
This is one of a series of photos I have been taking as part of a project exploring the tight urban network of narrow alleyways in Saigon known as 'hems'. Much of the city's living happens in these labyrinthine, light-deprived spaces- the population density is high. In my suburb the hem is the main living space- there are in excess of 181,000 people living in just 5 square kms. The hems are places of love, family, study, recreation, procreation and commerce, as well as the more seedy practices of prostitution and illicit drug use. The roles played by each inhabitant in a hem are many, and guessing who does what for whom in these lanes is a fools game. Saigon defies such classifications. It can be a shadowy, disingenuous place where allegiances are fluid and trust can evaporate like the ethers. But the people are mostly friendly and often like to chat with foreigners.
This picture was taken in the hem system off Bui Vien St. The hems here are often tiny- not even wide enough for pushbike traffic. The approach I take is to enter the maze and get lost. Eventually I will find a sliver of light, a subject and perhaps a story.