Reading 2: Paris: stereotypes, simulacra and tourism imaginaries

Duplitecture

Architectural copies produced to a huge extent

Simulacra - Paris

Parises created in various parts of the world are not copies of Paris – none of the reproduced Eiffel Towers has exactly the same size and dimensions than the original; a fortiori, none of the recreated portions of Parisian urban areas pretend recreate a ‘real’ Parisian neighborhood. Distortions of size, forms, analogies or distribution, are common features of all reproduced portions of Paris worldwide. They are not copies, but simulacra.

Simulacra - Baudrillard

Simulacra stopped being projections of reality, they have become a separate realm of symbols which exist regardless of reality

Simulacra creates _______

‘atmosphere’ and lifestyle

• it stands on its own

• “a copy of a copy has lost its connection to the original because it is referring to the copy”

Simulacra relies on ________

images and imaginaries

Who are the greatest simulacrum company?

Disney

Simcity

• Parallel touristic worlds

• The dynamics embedded in simcities put in place a subtle form of social and spatial regulation, one that ‘literally and figuratively “plays with the mind,” manipulating civic consciousness and popular images of city space and urban life to maintain order’