London

100 Strangers Project - 60/100 /  by Michael Pung

So I caught the tail-end of London Fashion Week and although I wasn't able to get inside to watch the catwalks, I was still able to take a few photos from outside. People were dressed dare shall I say, fashionably? There were many people making a statement with their clothing and I think it is a great way for people to express themselves- fashion is a form of expression.

Anna was chatting with her friend on the side of the road when I approached her. She said that she was dressed very simple - at least compared to some of the others - but I think what she had worked for her. She is half Brazilian and Italian and gets to visit London Fashion week because her parents run a coffee chain which sponsors the event.

Thank you Anna for taking part in the project!

100 Strangers Project - 59/100 /  by Michael Pung

Olivia was crossing the street when I approached her. I quickly explained my project and she said yes!

I asked her: 

How would your friends describe you?

"Independent, adventurous and a clear sense of direction."

Olivia is currently studying a masters degree in environmental engineering - specialising in water treatment. She hopes to one day put the environment back to the way it was before human intervention. 

"I want to be at the forefront of helping the environment and assist in any way I can."

She visited China for 6 weeks in the summer and was saddened that there really isn't anything in place by the government to improve the quality of the environment over there and that in possibly around 35 years, everything would probably need to be rebuilt.

"We all breathe the same air. The pollution in Asia affects everyone even in the States and in Europe."

She seemed passionate about the topic and hopes to make a difference to the environment, be it research or working on projects in a different part of the world.

I showed her the photos I took of her and offered to send them to her. As I was taking down her email, we then discussed the use of smartphones:

"I don't want to be reached all the time. I used to keep my phone on complete silence but then my boyfriend got mad because I wasn't answering his calls. So now I just have my messages on silent and only my calls go through."

She's not totally against smartphones though, but whenever she goes away she tries to keep it off so she can enjoy the experiences of travel. 

Thank you Olivia for taking part in the project!

 

 

100 Strangers Project - 58/100 /  by Michael Pung

Ryusuke was sitting enjoying his break from work when I approached him. He was very relaxed when I explained my project and was happy to have his photo taken. Ryusuke's attire stood out from the crowd for me, he was wearing a hat and his clothes were coordinated with the colour of his glasses and he also had a holster for all of his hairdressing tools - it reminded me of country-western gun holster. He comes from Hanedakuko Japan and moved to London 1 year ago with his wife whom he met in a logistics company over there. He has been hairdressing for 17 years. One of his favourite things to do is to go to the beach and enjoy the sun - something he doesn't like so much here in London! He sometimes goes to Cornwall for surfing the waves, something he enjoyed doing back when he was in Japan.

Thank you Ryusuke for taking part in the project!

100 Strangers Project - 56/100 /  by Michael Pung

After meeting Reine in Chinatown we head to the tube to find our way back home. We end up at Paddington tube station and come across a couple who appear to be working out where they were going.

My friend approaches them asking if they need any help with directions. They have exhausted themselves working out where their hotel is after a long day out, where they traveled from Oxford for their daughter's graduation. Their names are Linda and Tom and they come from Southlake, Texas.

I offer to send a copy of the photo to them and Linda says that I can send it to her daughter's email address. While looking on her phone she accidentally calls her daughter and they start talking about their tube experience and how they were being photographed! She then tells us to stand together for a photo so she can send it to her daughter.

After our exchange, we say goodbye, thankful for the help from my friend and I. Linda and Tom now have their directions and head towards the right platform... and to their hotel.

Thank you Tom and Linda for taking part in the project!

100 Strangers Project - 55/100 /  by Michael Pung

It is night time in the middle of Chinatown and I am with a friend looking for strangers to complete my project. I spot a man exiting a restaurant with his friend. He is wearing an oversized shirt which has money prints on the sleeves, a black-leather backpack, black spectacles and a blue bowler's hat - tilted to the right. A statement is made.

His name is Reine who flew from Stockholm with his friend to visit London to do some shopping. He tells me that he is a tailor for H&M and gives me his business card. They are looking for a place to eat, somewhere cheap yet tasty. They argue over the one they just exited. His friend asserts that this one looks good, but he replies saying that he prefers to go to a place where the locals eat. After the shoot, he asks us where to go and we make a few recommendations for places down the road.

Thanks for taking part in the project and hope you found a place to eat Reine!

100 Strangers Project - 53/100 /  by Michael Pung

I see Elly ambling down the road heading in the direction of Broadway Market. She is wearing a black bowler hat, a white blazer and patterned loose yoga trousers. She tells me that she is heading over to yoga class. I ask her about her hat and she says that she bought it from Shoreditch earlier for a grand sum of ₤20. She is happy to have her photo taken.

She lives in Berlin and was living in London for 3 years prior to moving.

"There are too many rules in London," she replied when I asked her about why she moved, she continues, "Things are freer in Berlin."

She is a stage actress and has been doing it since childhood. Recently she has been focusing on comedic acting and specifically as a clown. She loves the character of the clown because they are tragic characters. Although they are always failing at tasks, they never give up and it's the grit and determination that they exude which inspires her.

In addition to being an actress, Elly also is a musician and busks on the street with her accordion. 

"When performing, it's about how connected you are rather than how good you are unless you're really, really good."

Thank you for taking part in the project Elly!

100 Strangers Project - 52/100 /  by Michael Pung

"I'm really awkward in front of the camera, that's why I talk."

I met Stefo as he was chaining his bike to a post. He's a bartender who comes from Sweden. He was just about to get into work when I caught him. He said that the bar he works at has a lot of taxidermy and that there's one which is a snake shoved down a goose's throat. Which would have been quite confronting to see. I asked him if he likes taxidermy and he resoundingly said no.

Thanks for taking part in the project Stefo!