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Hi & Welcome to our walking tour!
Through opaque signage and structural ambiguity, some of Banqiao’s luxury apartments use strategies to evade public use of public space. Subverting this, this walking tour, builds on the precedent of Use Your Own Space, a subversive Christmas party which invited citizens to gather and celebrate Christmas in the strategically inaccessible antechambers of Banqiao’s luxury apartments. To the chagrin of local residents.
First stop on our walking tour is the original site of Use Your Own Space, with no signage leading to the public space you could easily ignore this beautiful semi-outdoor garden. Walk deeper along the path and you can see there is plenty of signs indicated that this is in fact, all dedicated public space. Stop and have a rest in the shade or visit the koi pond. But notice, no forward facing signs indicate you can hang out here. Neat!
From this point we turn exit close to the way we came and turn right to enter another of Banqiao’s most kitsch public spaces. Stepping into the temple that is giving - off brand Greek - to the left you will see a marble relief sculpture which loosely depicts Neptune’s horses, and to the right various goddesses benignly smile at those who are fortunate enough to have access to this affluent neighbourhood. While you are cooling your feet in the ponds that are technically public space, pay close attention to Tyche, goddess of good fortune, as she looks down on you.
From this point turn right and continue two blocks until we enter the ‘Royal Gallery’. Ignoring the ambiguous public space map, which outlines both ‘plaza’ and ‘plaza style space’ we will continue into the main hall where you can see iconic knocks offs like The Empress Eugenie, Surrounded by her Ladies-in-Waiting – by Franz Winterhalter and Hush! (The Concert) by James Tissot. Both 19th century masterpieces. Eugenie for those who may not know, was the wife of Napoleon III, wearing the Chemise A La Reine popularised by Marie Antoinette, this portrait aims to cast the Spanish Eugenie as the epitome of French beauty. Eugenie lived during the era of Victor Hugo, who frequently broadcast ideas of revolution at the French Aristocrats. While you are enjoying the plush chairs and extravagant water fountains notice that the large windows state ‘only to be closed in case of typhoon’ so remember that this space, should reasonably, be accessible to everyone all at all times.