Dezső Bozóky

Dezső Bozóky's Pictures of the Past

Following the advise not to do physical exercise after receiving my influenza vaccination (colloquially also known as flu shot or even "jab" for those who prefer to speak reduced vocabulary), I decided to instead visit the University Museum and Art Gallery of The University of Hong Kong. This is one of the few cultural stepping stones, you may set foot on when walking the territory, and not wanting to dip into shopping malls and crowds. I was attracted this time by the photo exhibition featuring the pictures of the Hungarian the surgeon Dr. Dezső Bozóky, taken during his travels in East Asia 1907-1909, and illustrating his impressions by quotes from his diary. As we all know, it was a very different Hong Kong back then. 

Man Mo Temple,124–126 Hollywood Road (1908)

Man Mo Temple,124–126 Hollywood Road (1908)

I liked the exhibition a lot (which will be on until January 8th), and also I spent quite some time with studying the catalogue which is a documentation of views and thoughts by the visiting photographer from a different time. It is available for 150 HK$ (about 18 Euros) in the museum's tea house, which is also recommended, and one of the places I like to hang out when I am here. The rest of the museum is either redecorating or lost a few of its exhibits from the accessible areas. But it is still a nice place with a long gone Hong Kong spirit.

Queen's Building, Central waterfront, and Kowloon Ferry Pier (1908)

Queen's Building, Central waterfront, and Kowloon Ferry Pier (1908)

60 Queen's Road, looking towards the Pedder Street Clock Tower (1908)

60 Queen's Road, looking towards the Pedder Street Clock Tower (1908)

Dezső Bozóky's photos show street scenes, portraits and landscapes of and in Hong Kong 1907-1909. They are presented as glass slides of about 30 cm x 30 cm and are partially hand coloured.

Dezső Bozóky's photos show street scenes, portraits and landscapes of and in Hong Kong 1907-1909. They are presented as glass slides of about 30 cm x 30 cm and are partially hand coloured.

Cover pages of the catalogue and exhibition leaflet

Cover pages of the catalogue and exhibition leaflet