The M+ curatorial team has “always been fascinated by the cinematic quality of Girard’s photography”, says assistant curator Savannah Shiu.
“Each of his photographs testifies of a particular interest in time. By capturing the decisive moment of a found situation or staged scene, he invites viewers to imagine what could have happened before and after.”
Shiu says that “bringing these scenes to life in a sequence, in combination with sound and film extracts”, aligned with the vision of both Girard and the museum’s curatorial team.
Girard, 69, now lives in Vancouver, the city of his birth, but maintains a strong bond with the city that “made” him an esteemed photographer.
“Hong Kong Made Me” also features a performance by experimental post-punk band Gong Gong Gong, which was formed in Beijing in 2015 by Hong Kong-born vocalist-bassist Tom Ng and Montreal-born guitarist Joshua Frank.
Drawing inspiration from African blues and techno to create eclectic sounds with Cantonese lyrics, the duo – who performed at Hong Kong’s Clockenflap music festival in December 2023 – have a loyal following among the city’s indie music fans.
“It was Girard’s suggestion [to pick the band],” Shiu says. “We liked the idea due to Gong Gong Gong’s own strong engagement with the city and experimental take on post-punk music that is evocative of Hong Kong cinema, as if they were telling a story with secret agents, action and car-chasing scenes.”
Shiu adds that the photographer and the band have been working in close collaboration on the project, and that it will be an exceptional sensory experience for those who enjoy old Hong Kong vibes and alternative music.
“Greg Girard: Hong Kong Made Me” May 11, 4pm. Grand Staircase, M+ Museum, 38 Museum Drive, West Kowloon Cultural District. Standard tickets HK$120, available on mplus.org.hk.
