Headz Is A Concept
Amy, Pang Ka Wing
A little lane sits beside the old site of Centro Comercial Teatro Capitol (國華戲院) where most people go for the dumplings. However, there is a store at the end of the lane. Few people notice where it is as there is no sign along. The letters
“HEADZ”, the store name in front of the display window, only glitter when it is in the afternoon.
From the outside, HEADZ is like a typical boutique, but it is more than that. Besides of being the first store for selling street wears and lomo equipment, it is also a unique space for sub-cultures, especially for Tang.
Tch Tang, owner of HEADZ, holds public events such as music parties and tattoo sharing sessions from time to time for introducing sub-cultures to Macao or “just for fun”. Sometimes he even invites Hong Kong artists to “play” together, making HEADZ more well-known to other cities like Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.
Having no desire to become an employee, Tang started a business in which he is really interested. Tang set up his store on the back street where he felt tranquil because of the low rent and the two-level compartment.
“Don’t you agree that such ‘main-stream’ shops are used to existing in such an unpopular space,” said Tang, who sighed that sub-cultures in Macao are not widely accepted.
Tang treated HEADZ as his private place when it was first set up. He slept there and opened the store irregularly. The shop was once open only for a few days in a month. “It is me who created HEADZ, but it seemed to hinder me and control my life,” said Tang, who had once considered HEADZ as the source of his worries.
However, he got a clearer mind as time went by. Tang was clear about what this little space means for him afterwards. He needed to make a living with his job as well as his interest, Headz. “HEADZ store is a public space in daytime, but it will turn into a private space at night,” said Tang, who always invites friends to gather around outside the opening hours.
He makes the ground floor of HEADZ as a store for business and the second floor as a space more related to cultures and arts, including home decorations, exhibitions or meetings.
Recently he has tried to hold events without inviting artists to avoid commercialization. He wants to make things that are related to our daily life. “I want to create a space where everyone can participate and get in touch with,” said he.
Now more and more shops of street wear have launched in Macao. In Tang’s point of view, Macao people are still inactive in sub-cultures. Tang, started HEADZ in 2008, mentioned that it took him three years to reveal the street cultures to the locals.
Tang insisted that HEADZ is doing something unique. For him, HEADZ means more than a store - it is a concept and medium which gets into the locals’ life.
“I do think HEADZ brings impact to the locals – I’m not sure what the exact influence is but it will certainly be a ‘negative effect’. Or in better words, an indirect impact,” said he in a light tone.
“The store is instant. That’s what people think about HEADZ,” stated Tang.
“I don’t know why people seem to be afraid of walking into this store.
I always wonder why they come here on purpose, but only stay outside for a moment,” said Tang.