Hidden Work, Real Life

© Yvonne Yaqi JIN - The tram driver and the famous local idol. Who's to say which one is the more attractive, reliable man?

Dates

2021 - Ongoing
Author

Yvonne Yaqi JIN
Location Hong Kong, Hong Kong

My attention is always drawn to the ordinary people that try their very best just to make a living.

On the busy and buzzing street of Hong Kong, there is a group of workers not represented by the typical white collar business person in a tidy suit with the latest version of smartphone. They work in the most unnoticeable setting, transporting people and commodities, or climbing onto the temporary scaffolding. They are hidden in the uniforms, in safety helmets, and in corner shops of local florist, medicine, and cheongsam stores. But their work, contributing to mobility, routine, and reproduction, is the fuel of the ever-running productivity wheel of urban life.

The tram driver and the famous local idol. Who's to say which one is the more attractive, reliable man?

The local florist shop in the neighbourhood I lived. The hostess would let me go into the inventory area and pick the freshest, newly-arrived bouquet. She’s humming songs all the time while cleaning up the floor. The cat in the store is small, but fierce, like the one I would adopt if I can.

Cheongsam is the traditional Chinese dress that shows off the s-curve with customised tailoring. The owner is from Shanghai, talks about the glorious portfolio of his customer constantly, and will always leave the dress one inch larger in case of a festive weight-gain.

Midnight. The worker tied up to 20 bicycles on his car and drove them back to central stations. The next morning, people will rush out from home to take any one of them and drive, often mindlessly, to office.

There is a power of peace seeing someone falling asleep after the whole day of physical work.