JOSÉ PINO

The Demographic Evolution of Hong Kong: A Projection to 2250

​Article by ​Martina Knecht

 

[ demoGraph ] explores the future demographic trajectory of Hong Kong, projecting potential changes through to the year 2250. Using data-driven visuals and projections, the piece invites viewers to consider the long-term impacts of population growth on the city’s landscape, infrastructure, and society. This forward-looking exploration opens a space for reflection on how demographic shifts may shape the future of urban life in one of the world's most densely populated areas.

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This installation is driven by an algorithm inspired by demographic projections for Hong Kong from 2020 to 2250, which shape all audible elements within the piece. The composition weaves together themes of accumulation and continuous sound, sustained in shifting temporal structures. Drawing from the concept of urban population growth, sound is distributed across four channels, with an additional channel maintaining a steady, immersive tone that envelops the entire space. Population expansion and its impacts inform the structural relationships within the algorithmic composition, unfolding over four sections that each embody a sense of accumulation.

 

The algorithm’s foundation rests on a 230-year projection of population growth, employing a basic mathematical model of population dynamics to shape this sensory exploration:

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P’(t) = kP(t)

P(t) = P0ekt

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Building on this projection, the algorithm processes the demographic data to generate values for the formal structure—shaping each section and the various sound elements that appear in the work. As each projected year is set, it dictates the entire structure of the piece. The data then branches into two essential components: the Freeze Modules and a curated Sample Bank created in the studio. The Freeze Modules capture and “freeze” the audio signal from the sound map, read at the algorithm’s start. As the modules freeze the signal, envelope values corresponding to each projected year are applied, creating distinct sonic moments. The freezing process is powered by an algorithm based on FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) for signal analysis, weaving together unique combinations of sound by capturing and layering these frozen segments. The frozen sounds are then distributed across four spatial channels, with two speakers per channel positioned on either side of the four plasma screens. A fifth channel, projected through four corner speakers in the installation space, represents a composite sound—a kind of sonic mirror produced in the studio, creating an encompassing sound continuum.

 

Here, time is not measured by chronological intervals but is instead shaped by the conceptual flow of the population growth algorithm, giving the piece a temporal structure that mirrors the organic progression of demographic expansion.

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​The visual material for the digital animations draws from a layered palette of imagery reflecting Hong Kong's complex urban and natural landscapes. Federico Foderaro crafts scenes that capture the towering skyline of Hong Kong, merging these with José Pino’s ambient recordings of street life to immerse viewers in the city's pulse. Interwoven with this urban imagery are stark, evocative clips from the street protests that erupted in Hong Kong against Chinese control during the production of this work, conveying tension and resistance. In contrast, scenes of giant, ancient trees introduce an organic counterpoint, symbolizing resilience and grounding. Foderaro’s visual approach draws inspiration from the four classical elements—water, wind, earth, and fire—each represented through distinct colour schemes that underscore the interconnectedness of these forces within the urban landscape.

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In conclusion, this work profoundly explores the dynamic interplay between nature and the human experience. By blending visual elements and soundscapes that reflect Hong Kong's vibrant skyline, its historical struggles, and the resilience of nature, it invites viewers to contemplate how these forces continuously shape one another. This installation not only projects demographic changes but also urges us to consider our collective impact on the environment and urban landscapes, serving as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between progress and preservation.​

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