Marion McGivern explores intriguing locations that are not all they seem . . .
Potemkin Villages
In Russia in 1787, Prince Grigory Potemkin, an admirer of Catherine II, organised a grand tour along the River Dnieper in Crimea to mark its addition to her empire.
She was treated to weeks of merriment, complete with waving peasants lining up in picturesque riverside villages to greet the royal party as they passed by.
Soon a story began to circulate that the “buildings” were merely painted screens, while the “villagers” were Russians driven south to play the part of loyal subjects.
Each night, as Catherine and her entourage rested, the peasants were set up further along the riverbank, ready to repeat their cheerful performances as the party travelled on.
These rumours were denied by those on the tour, but whatever the truth might be, the rumours travelled far and wide.
This led to “Potemkin Village” entering the language to mean sham – an impressive façade with nothing behind it.
It’s Fake – Honestly!
Artist Alex Chinneck turns the spotlight on to the idea of the fake façade with his life-size sculptures.
In one sculpture, a picture-perfect frontage installed on a dilapidated house in Margate was designed to look as if it had slipped down to reveal the decay within.
The project, called “From The Knees Of My Nose To The Belly Of My Toes”, was in place between 2013 and 2014.
It was a fun design feature for the community to enjoy before the house was eventually rebuilt.
La Bella . . . Wales
The beautiful Italianate village of Portmeirion on the North Wales coast looks like a wonderful place to live.
Made famous as the setting of 1960s TV series “The Prisoner”, starring Patrick McGoohan, it’s actually a village without any villagers, although visitors can stay overnight in the hotel or one of the cottages.
Built in stages between 1925 and 1976, it was the work of owner and architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis.
He enjoyed mixing different styles and creating playful visual tricks to make the village and its buildings look older and larger.
Now owned by a charitable trust,
