Hutong to Highrise documents the changes occurring in Beijing by using the photovoice research technique. We hope to learn more about hutong dwellers and see the world through their eyes by giving them cameras and the means to document what is important to them. Taking the camera out of the hands of the observer and putting it into the hands of the subject helps the observer to see the world as it is through the eyes of the subject. Using local people’s perspective is what makes our project unique.
Hutong to Highrise is interested in recording the historical lifestyle of Old Beijing. Our goal is to gather the opinions and perspectives of Beijing hutong dwellers in hopes of giving them a voice and a means to record their history. We will exhibit their photographs and produce a photo book with individual captions as well as articles documenting first hand accounts of everyday life in a tradional Beijing hutong.
