manuel alvarez diestro documents dense hong kong cemeteries
all images courtesy of manuel alvarez diestro

 

 

 

resembling ancient amphitheaters, this series of photographs by manuel alvarez diestro exposes the tightly packed cemeteries around hong-kong. the eerie images juxtapose the two parallel worlds of the living and the dead, and the environments in which they must co-exist. overlooking the city from different angles, the vertical structures in the background help to increase the sense of density within the two contrasting worlds. the photographs also display similarities of repetition within the built forms, helping to merge them in with the surrounding urban fabric. ‘hong-kong amphitheater’ confronts the idea of cemeteries as important public spaces and remembrance. 

 

 

manuel alvarez diestro documents dense hong kong cemeteries
the photographs reveal the densely packed cemeteries around hong-kong

 

 

 

manuel alvarez diestro documents dense hong kong cemeteries
built into the side of a cliff they resemble ancient amphitheaters

 

 

manuel alvarez diestro documents dense hong kong cemeteries
the photographs juxtapose the two worlds of the living and the dead with the same environment

 

 

manuel alvarez diestro documents dense hong kong cemeteries
the series reveals similarities between the built forms

 

 

manuel alvarez diestro documents dense hong kong cemeteries
the cemeteries are photographed from points overlooking the city

 

 

manuel alvarez diestro documents dense hong kong cemeteries
the eerie images capture the cemeteries as places that blend into the urban fabric

 

 

 

manuel alvarez diestro documents dense hong kong cemeteries
the cemeteries are constructed in terraced rows, stepping down the side of hills in the urban fabric

 

 

manuel alvarez diestro documents dense hong kong cemeteries
image showing a similar sense of scale between the structures

 

 

manuel alvarez diestro documents dense hong kong cemeteries
detail of the hong-kong cemetery

 

 

manuel alvarez diestro documents dense hong kong cemeteries
the living and the dead side by side

 

 

manuel alvarez diestro documents dense hong kong cemeteries
the cemetery at night with illuminated buildings beyond

 

 

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