Austin Bell, a North Carolina-born photographer, has transformed mundane urban landscapes into striking abstract art through his lens. In 2017, Bell embarked on a captivating project in Hong Kong, drawn to its unique outdoor basketball courts. These vibrant, flat surfaces contrasted sharply with the city’s vertical skyline, and Bell aimed to capture their hidden beauty among these urban arenas.
Discovering the Hong Kong Basketball Courts
Across four winters and approximately 140 shooting days, Bell utilized a drone to document all 2,549 outdoor basketball courts throughout Hong Kong. Impressively, he often photographed over a hundred courts in a single day. This extensive series, titled “Shooting Hoops,” showcases these sports venues as geometric wonders—reminiscent of colorful, concrete crop circles when viewed from above. The project culminated in a photobook and an exhibition at Blue Lotus Gallery, highlighting the stark and saturated elegance of these urban spaces, perfectly suited for aerial photography.
Today, these courts serve not only as sports venues but also as inspirations for art and photography. Bell’s work has brought global recognition to these unique urban features. By capturing their essence, he has made them a subject of fascination.
Similarly exploring urban spaces, Snøhetta’s Sky House in Hong Kong incorporates innovative designs that redefine play areas.
Source: designyoutrust.com
Frequently asked questions
What project did Austin Bell undertake in Hong Kong?
Austin Bell undertook a project to capture over 2,500 outdoor basketball courts in Hong Kong, transforming them into abstract art through photography.
How many outdoor basketball courts did Bell photograph?
Bell photographed all 2,549 outdoor basketball courts throughout Hong Kong.
Where was Austin Bell’s basketball court series exhibited?
The series was exhibited at Blue Lotus Gallery and also published as a photobook.
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