GoSee Book Tip : ‘Hong Kong’ by Mikko Takkunen - the first book by The New York Times’ Photo Editor presents a unique city portrait in the colors and style of the New York School (Kehrer Publishing)
Mikko Takkunen’s captivating photos and Geoff Dyer’s essay immerse readers in the fascinating world of Hong Kong. With his first photo book ‘Hong Kong’, The New York Times’ photo editor Mikko Takkunen captured one of the world’s greatest metropolises during a time of political uncertainty and the pandemic.
Inspired by the masters of the New York School, such as Louis Faurer, Louis Stettner und Saul Leiter, the Finnish photographer presents Hong Kong in a fresh and innovative way, revealing hidden perspectives and moods that many have yet to see.
His photos combine the precision of documentary with subjective empathy, creating a narrative of the city that’s as captivating as it is beautiful. From the vibrant colors to the stunning tonalities, each photograph is carefully curated to take you on an offbeat journey through the multilayered city.
“With the pandemic, I lost my beloved tram rides to work, and was instead cooped up at home, sometimes for days at a time. I settled for taking pictures of the rooftops and streets below our bedroom window, feeling a bit like Jimmy Stewart in ‘Rear Window’. But eventually, I began roaming the city at night, seeking whatever relief I could in a world that felt like it was coming to an end.”
“Deliriously beautiful color photos of daily life in Hong Kong” - Kenneth Dickerman, The Washington Post.
“Hong Kong is a tiny triumph (…) the print equivalent of a spring cherry blossom: the glorious first blush of a budding visual artist.” - David Friend, Vanity FairMikko Takkunen.
Mikko Takkunen (*1979 in Finland) is a photo editor at The New York Times Foreign Desk, for which he spent more than five years between 2016–2021 reporting in Hong Kong. He began taking these photographs in early 2020 at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and continued until the summer of 2021 when he left Hong Kong. Takkunen lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Geoff Dyer is a British writer and journalist who has authored several award-winning novels and non-fiction books. He has also made a name for himself as a travel writer, masterfully blurring the lines between landscape description, essay and short story.
Hong Kong by Mikko Takkunen
Texts by Geoff Dyer, Mikko Takkunen
96 pages with 68 color ills.
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