Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze’s photographic lens offers a captivating glimpse into Hong Kong’s elevated existence, a realm often unseen amidst the kinetic energy of street life. His recent book, Echoing Above, meticulously documents the surprising interplay between nature and humanity that flourishes atop the city’s towering structures. From resilient trees finding purchase on rooftops to the individuals who navigate these dizzying heights, Jacquet-Lagrèze reveals an entire ecosystem thriving far above the everyday hustle.
Living in Hong Kong for nearly ten years, Jacquet-Lagrèze developed a keen eye for the unique verticality of the city. He finds particular inspiration in areas like Kowloon, where the architecture bears the marks of its inhabitants, from lines of laundry fluttering in the breeze to the subtle wear and tear on building facades. His patience allows him to capture fleeting moments, such as workers scaling bamboo scaffolding or suspended from immense heights, integral parts of this elevated urban tapestry.
The photographer’s compositions often juxtapose the built environment — balconies and air conditioning units — with the tenacity of nature, exemplified by the ubiquitous Chinese Banyan tree. These hardy plants take root in unexpected places, their seeds dispersed by birds, creating a continuous cycle of growth and removal high above the ground. Jacquet-Lagrèze’s work illuminates this overlooked dimension, a constant exchange between life forms echoing within the city’s concrete canyons, while also highlighting the dramatic interplay of light and shadow cast by the soaring architecture.
More info: Website, Blue Lotus Gallery, Instagram.
