Over the past couple of weeks, I’m trying to explore various elements that contribute to shaping a focused and impactful research question. The goal has been to provide a pathway for a meaningful project aiming to understand/examine the complex interplay between city and individual identities, particularly in a globalized context.
Initial Research Questions
Initially, the research question in Unit 1 revolved around “How Hong Kong cultural characteristic can be effectively transmitted to the world stage through the support of Hong Kong film in present day”. However, this evolved to acoomodate the broader perspectices of lived experiences in Hong Kong, then in Unit 3, with the more research on Hong Kong cinema and interviews/surveys with Hong Kong residents, the research question redefined as “How cam we facilitate a conversation on the representation of Hong Kong in cinema with the lived experience of the local population?” And in Unit 4, in order to make the research be deeper and more specific and especially avoid some political concern, I would like to shift the focus of this project on the angles of “cultural hybridity” ,”nomadism” and “fluid identity” which based on the secondary research recently.
Now I will organize the thought process of this project in “what-why-how-what if” as below.
What-Why-How-What if
What
As Hong Kong is often depicted as the melting pot of both Eastern and Western cultures, it naturally aligns with the concept of “cultural hybridity”. Whether you experience it through Hong Kong cinema or by visiting the city personally, if you are from mainland China or have a cultural background distinct from that of Canton (Guangdong), you’ll find that the lifestyle, language and urban scenery of Hong Kong are markedly different from those in the mainland (the cultural background of Guangdong has some common in HK but not the same). Therefore, this group of individuals who work, study and live in Hong Kong either by choice or necessity can be categorized as members of transcultural community in this context.
My project aims to explore the interplay between cities and individuals in the context of globalization, with a focus on cultural hybridity. I plan to use Hong Kong cinema as a medium to engage with stakeholders, who are mainly people like myself-born in mainland China but working, studying, or living in culturally hybrid cities.
Below are the academic basis and explaination for the theoretical franmeworks and concepts for reference.
What is Cultural Hybridity?
The concept has been profoundly discussed by scholars like Homi K. Bhabha, particularly in his book “The Location of Culture.” Bhabha explores how hybridity disrupts the cultural authority and “purity” often assumed in colonial and post-colonial discourses. According to him, the hybrid nature of culture challenges fixed identities and opens up spaces for negotiation and transformation.
This concept is widely used in cultural studies and social sciences to describe the fusion and reconfiguration of cultural elements, identities, traditions, and practices within diverse cultural settings. In a world increasingly influenced by globalization, migrations, and technological advancements, cultural hybridity serves as a lens to understand how people navigate and adapt to multiple cultural influences.
In simple terms, cultural hybridity looks at how different cultures mix and create new, complex forms of cultural expressions, identities, and meanings. This can happen at various levels—from individual to community, and from local to global scales.
What is Nomadism?
Traditionally, nomadism refers to a way of life that is not anchored to a particular geographical space, characterized by the continual or seasonal movement of people (and often their livestock) in search of pasture, water, and other resources. The concept has been widely studied in anthropology, geography, and history, providing insights into various communities that have adopted this lifestyle, such as the Bedouins in the Middle East or the Mongolian herders in Asia.
However, in a modern academic context, especially within the realms of postcolonial studies, cultural theory, and sociology, nomadism is often used metaphorically to discuss identities, cultures, and philosophies that are not rooted in a single tradition or place. The term gains particular prominence in the works of philosophers like Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari in “A Thousand Plateaus” where they use the concept to challenge established notions of territoriality, identity, and linear history.
What is Cultural Nomadism?
Cultural nomadism is an extension of the metaphorical use of nomadism, specifically focusing on the fluidity and multiplicity of cultural identities. In a globalized world, where individuals increasingly find themselves navigating multiple cultural landscapes, the concept of cultural nomadism helps to explore the complexities of these hybrid identities. This concept is employed to understand how people adopt, adapt, and integrate various cultural elements into their identities, transcending geographical, social, and even digital boundaries.
Cultural nomadism is often discussed in studies exploring diaspora, migration, and transnationalism. It allows researchers to look beyond rigid categories and understand how individuals and communities live in a state of flux, continually negotiating and re-negotiating their cultural affiliations and identities.
References:
- Deleuze, G., & Guattari, F. (1987). “A Thousand Plateaus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia.”
- Bhabha, H. K. (1994). “The Location of Culture.”
- Clifford, J. (1997). “Routes: Travel and Translation in the Late Twentieth Century.”
What is Fluid Identity?
The concept of “fluid identity” refers to an identity that is not fixed or static but is instead continually changing, evolving, and adapting to new influences and experiences. Unlike traditional identity constructs that might classify individuals into predefined categories based on factors such as nationality, ethnicity, gender, or religion, fluid identity allows for a more complex, nuanced understanding of the self.
In a world that is increasingly interconnected and globalized, fluid identities capture the complexity and flexibility with which individuals navigate various social, cultural, and political landscapes. This approach recognizes that identities are shaped by a multiplicity of factors, including but not limited to, geography, time, social interaction, and individual choice.
Fluid identity is often discussed within the context of postmodernism and post-structuralism, where the emphasis is on deconstructing traditional binaries and hierarchies to understand the interplay of various power structures that shape individual identity. The concept is notably explored in the works of Judith Butler, particularly in “Gender Trouble,” where she challenges the fixed categories of gender.
References:
- Butler, J. (1990). “Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity.”
- Giddens, A. (1991). “Modernity and Self-Identity: Self and Society in the Late Modern Age.”
- Hall, S. (1996). “Who Needs ‘Identity’?” In Questions of Cultural Identity.
Why
- Why Hong Kong?
Many cities especially the major global cities like London, New york, Shanghai, Shenzhen could be connected with the concept of “cultural hybridity”, the choice of Hong Kong as the representative of a “hybrid city” in this project because:
- Cultural background : As mentioned above, Hong Kong has long been a place where Eastern and Western cultures coexist because of its history and geographical location.
- Political background: Whenever is before 1997 or after 1997’s hand over, the “One country, Two Systems” makes Hong Kong keep its unique political status. This offers a rich ground for exploring issues of cultural and individual identity.
- Cinema industry: Hong Kong has a strong film industry in the world, and many films explored themes of identity, cultural collision and the urban experience. These cinematic portrayals procide a rich medium for investigation.
- Personal Connection: Given my personal background, experiences and interests, Hong Kong serves as a particular relevant context, and I use an autoethnographic research method to explore this subject to make it be understood more authenticly.
- Transcultural communities: Hong Kong is home to a diverse population that includes not only locals but also a significant number of immigrants, expatriates, and others who are in transitional phases of their lives. And these groups are quite relevant to my stakeholder group.
- The importance of the project:
More and more people are living transitional lives under the context of globalization. Understanding how these individuals (transcultural community) define themselves in culturally diverse cities can offer us valuable insights into their social acceptance, career opportunities, and personal well-being.
How
- Redefine Research Question
In terms of the research, 2 reserach questions were shortlisted and pending further discussion with tutor:
- “How can we facilitate a dialogue on hybrid city and individual identity in a world shaped by globalization?”
- “How can we understand and position ourselves in the interplay between our native culture and a second culture within the context of globalization?
- Plans on Next Steps & Project Goals
For the practical execution of this project, I plan to create a 3-minute video collage. This video will feature carefully selected scenes from Hong Kong movies that encapsulate the essence of “cultural hybridity” and the unique characteristics of Hong Kong as a “hybrid city.” These scenes will be interwoven with relevant dialogue from the movies to create a cohesive narrative. The video will be presented in an immersive environment, either through VR technology or projection on a screen, to engage stakeholders in a unique experience.
The primary objective of this project is to facilitate a better understanding and assimilation for “transcultural communities” living in a hybrid city. The immersive video experience serves as a test. Before and after viewing the video, stakeholders will be asked to reflect on their identities and attitudes towards living in a hybrid city—be it Hong Kong, London, or any other multicultural metropolis. The focus will be on discerning any psychological changes or newfound resonances after the experience. In essence, the goal is to catalyze positive changes in social acceptance, work opportunities, and identity recognition for these transcultural communities.