The ‘Italian’ town of Pujiang is on a large scale and designed, so I was informed by their vice marketing manager, in a contemporary manner. I met him in the sales office and I explained that I am working for FAR in Shanghai, which I find is a lot easier than trying to explain that I am an artist from the UK! I also tactically mentioned that I was due to meet Mr. Cagnardi, the chief architect for the town, later in the day. This immediately opened doors and I was given a driver and guide to chauffeur me around the site, whilst I was directed towards the luxurious and contemporary show apartments. It is actually quite a stylish setup in places with a hint of Milan, yet retaining a certain Eastern European tower block feel in others..
On the bus journey back to the city my bloody flash card corrupted, so lost a load of the day’s shoot. I’d been using film as well, but it’s a pain and I will now have to make a second visit. After calming down, I’m realising that a lot of these sites need an extra visit and next time I shall try and wander round without assistance so I am not ‘directed’ to certain areas..
In the evening, Giel and I visited the Carlton Ritz Hotel (a tad more up market than my mid-range business accommodation..) for a meeting with Mr Cagnardi, a stylish man in his 60s with a touch of the raconteur about him, informing us he’s made 75 visits to Shanghai over the last 7 years whilst working on the scheme! It was a fruitful meeting in terms of the book project and he delved into some of the history and politics of these curious developments. Nice gin and tonic too..
