“Many people come to Southwest China as a way to live a life that is more aligned with what they value: artistic passions, self expression and openness,” says Willem Hagman, who has been photographing Chongqing at night since he moved there two years ago. “There’s a solidarity built from our shared messiness, if that makes sense.”
Chongqing’s electronic music, Hagman explains, is unique in the fact that the people value living life their own way, instead of falling into the grind of 996 work culture. It is called the cyberpunk city because it sits on steep terrain, so it’s forced to build its futuristic, neon glowing skyscrapers stacked on top of each other.
“Many of the people I’ve met here from other regions or cities came here to focus on their creative work, and wanted to be immersed in a likeminded community,” he says. “In any given space, you can find a multitude of drag performers, DJs, visual artists, film makers, graphic designers, painters, poets, et cetera.
“Due to this, clubs and venues aren’t just about raging and dancing all night – it’s a place to connect, to forge friendships and creative partnerships, and, most importantly, find solace with one another.”
He continues: “Foreigner or local, student or worker, artist or club kid; we all share these same universal experiences of feeling lost, alone, confused, doubted, sidelined. These spaces, this community, is where we are able to actually blow off steam, chat shit, have a nice drunk shoulder cry, and really open up.
“We feel more at home and more ourselves in these spaces, during these hours. Whatever is troubling us in our daytime, ceases to exist at night. Night time, to me, is the time that we can be our freest, truest selves.”
