Hong Kong is one of the densest cities in the world with a human population density of 17,024 per square mile and an area of 426 square miles, making land is extremely scarce and forcing even cemeteries into being stacked up and layered against the edges of cliffs like a classical amphitheater.
The classical amphitheater design that the cemeteries embody is the inspiration of photographer Manuel Alvarez Diestro. Calling his project Amphitheaters, Diestro focuses on these cemeteries and draws his attention to the overbearing eerie presence of the morbid amphitheater. He juxtaposes this with an extremely gloomy skyline of the metropolis. He travels around Hong Kong, photographing 10 of the city's cemeteries at dawn and dusk during the rainy season. The result is the ominous and overbearing presence of the cemetery in conjunction with the bustling city.
Amphitheater Cemetery Photography
Diestro Photographs Morbid Cemeteries in Hong Kong
Trend Themes
1. Amphitheater-inspired Architecture - Architects can draw inspiration from the classical amphitheater design seen in stacked cemeteries as a way to create unique and space-efficient structures.
2. Eerie Urban Photography - Photographers can explore the gloomy and ominous juxtaposition of morbid cemeteries against bustling cities as a new form of urban landscape photography.
3. Rainy Season Aesthetics - The melancholic atmosphere of rainy season could be utilized in creative applications such as fashion, interior design, and advertising campaigns.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Architectural firms can incorporate the stacked design of amphitheater cemeteries as a way to create space-efficient buildings in cities with limited land area.
2. Photography and Visual Arts - The gloomy and ominous aesthetic of cemeteries juxtaposed against urban landscapes creates unique opportunities for photographers and artists to explore.
3. Fashion and Design - The melancholic atmosphere of the rainy season could be incorporated into fashion collections and interior design concepts to create a unique aesthetic.