As an international student from Hong Kong, who grew up in the city until the age of 18 before coming to the U.S. to study theater, I have always been driven to connect my cultural heritage with my work. This piece is an individual project inspired by Hong Kong playwright Man-Hong Loong’s play The Abandoned Harbor. It is a 1/4 scale model designed to capture the essence of the play’s themes and atmosphere. Although this project was never fully realized in production, the model serves as a visual interpretation of the world and emotions depicted in the play.

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  The Abandoned Harbor delves into the complex dynamics of loss, abandonment, and the passage of time, set against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s ever-evolving landscape. Through meticulous design, the model reflects these themes by presenting a scaled-down version of the harbor, symbolizing a place of both physical and emotional abandonment. For me, creating this model was a way to channel my own feelings about the city I grew up in—its beauty, its changes, and the emotions tied to its history.

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  By presenting the model at 1/4 scale, I wanted to evoke the feeling of peering into a world that is both familiar and distant. The miniature size offers a unique sense of intimacy, allowing the viewer to experience the play’s emotional depth in a way that feels personal and reflective. This scale gives an almost voyeuristic view into the imagined space where the play’s poignant moments unfold, and I hope it invites others to explore this world from a fresh perspective.

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  Though the production itself was never fully realized, this model stands as a powerful, evocative artifact—a snapshot of the harbor’s symbolic abandonment. It represents not just the physical setting of the play, but also the emotional space the characters inhabit. For me, it’s an opportunity to share a piece of my cultural background and memories of old Hong Kong while also engaging with the universal themes of loss and transformation.

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  As I embark on this creative journey, my hope is to bridge the gap between my roots in Hong Kong and my current life in the U.S. I believe that even those who may not be familiar with Hong Kong’s culture can still be moved by the universal themes of The Abandoned Harbor. The play speaks to something much larger than its setting—it touches on the human experience of change and the passage of time, which transcends borders. This model, while deeply personal, is also meant to connect with a wider audience, offering a glimpse into a space that is both specific and universal.

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  Through this project, I aim to honor the beauty of the old Hong Kong I grew up in while sharing a piece of my story with others. Ultimately, I hope this production will not only introduce audiences to a cultural perspective they may not be familiar with, but also resonate with their own experiences of loss, change, and memory. In this way, The Abandoned Harbor is more than just a representation of my home—it’s a shared experience that can be appreciated by anyone, no matter where they come from.