THE GREY ECONOMY
My new photobook VIETNAM AND THE STAGES OF LIFE is available now!
THE GREY ECONOMY
First published on 26 July 2025.
This documentary series offers an observational portrait of the tradespeople, skilled workers and small-scale manufacturers who power Danang’s informal economy. From butchers at the chopping block to traditional medicine practitioners, each frame reflects a world of labour rooted in resourcefulness, repetition and pride. Shot entirely on 35mm black-and-white film, the work embraces a timeless aesthetic that mirrors the endurance of its subjects. The series foregrounds the dignity of work that often goes unseen. They are the workers who keep the city running—seen not as curiosities, but as integral to urban life.
© Maurizio Saroli 2022. All rights reserved.