Urban Arabesques

This book explores the intricate relationship between urban life and philosophy, particularly through the lens of Hong Kong. Urban Arabesques invites new perspectives.

In Urban Arabesques, the author delves into the relationship between philosophy and the urban landscape, presenting these two elements as deeply intertwined phenomena. This exploration reveals how the city can be viewed as a living event of philosophy, while simultaneously, philosophical ideas shape the experience of urban life. The book invites readers to consider the ways in which the urban environment generates a unique imaginary, rich with potential for new understandings and interpretations.

Focusing on Hong Kong, the narrative traverses the city's unique corners and elements, such as money, trees, and water, to uncover the philosophical dimensions embedded within everyday experiences. This critique-in-motion highlights how ordinary life can serve as a canvas for broader political and relational inquiries. By examining the concept of 'transcendental empiricism,' the author illustrates how philosophical thought manifests in the rhythms and signs of urban existence, suggesting that the streets themselves become conduits for deeper understanding.

Combining insights from influential thinkers like Heidegger, Derrida, Serres, and Deleuze, Urban Arabesques aims to retheorize the urban experience and its imaginary. The text emphasizes the importance of signs, images, and the ephemeral qualities of city life, ultimately encouraging a re-examination of how we perceive and engage with the urban world around us. Through this lens, the book opens up new pathways for thought and action in the modern city.