Landscape Architecture Resource

“I have lived and worked in China for over ten years, competing within their system, making my way as everything from a freelance artist in small operations to a senior designer for large corporations. I have witnessed a formidable decade in which China has commanded a modern presence on the world stage. I have participated in the planning, designing, and building of mega-theme parks in Beijing, world-class aquariums in Shanghai, gigantic malls in the Pearl Delta, resorts in Tibet, and panda relocation projects in the foothills of the Himalayas”.

Excerpt from Chapter 6, "The Tragic Kingdom or: Prisoner in a Chinese Theme Park" by Broc Smith:

I found it advantageous that a country that had once closed its universities of higher learning for an entire generation now had an unused ready-made work force willing to adapt to the capitalist dream. Unfortunately a lot of these guys must have thought art started and ended with the Impressionist era, and they dressed the part. They had their own type of uniform, wore berets and an assortment of goatees, and all in all resembled bad Che Guevara impersonators. Every one of them was found sculpting Neo-Classical figurines in little campus offices surrounded by racks and racks of dusty Greek gods and Roman senators.

All were quite interested in making some “real money” and so listened attentively. I would show the models we had generated in Kuala Lumpur and explain what we wanted, and they would make price calculations. Their quotes ranged from, “I don’t know what the hell I am talking about” to, “I still don’t know what I am talking about but am willing to listen.” We took most of those “willing to listen.”

They rapidly adjusted to their learning curve. After all, they were highly studied individuals in their fields and, after networking, had learned what others charged for the same work in other countries. They soon discovered such quotes were done per square meter, so the smarter ones allied themselves with construction contractors. On the other hand, the construction contractors discovered there was money to be had in thematic stylizing and worked out deals with the artists.

Within six months new industries were born and had begun to compete with one another. This was a boon for my Chinese Malaysian employers because now those hired were forced to commit to at least two out of the three “principles of design and build” mentioned in the first chapter. However, it was still up to me to convince the boss what was good. There was not a day my value and intelligence were not called into question. Some days were good and a lot of days were bad. I could be a hero one day and a villain the next. How I was treated depended upon the one doing the viewing.

The true stories and themes found in The Tragic Kingdom, spring from one man’s journey. At the same time they disclose truths about a globalization that eventually will impact every economy, lifestyle, and person on the planet.

“The Tragic Kingdom or; Prisoner in a Chinese Theme Park”, is a behind-the-scenes look into the field of design and build in China. The book is a profile of the personalities, culture, and psychology of the world’s most massive looming superpower as seen through the eyes of an ex-pat American.