A Guide to Trees for Governors and Gardeners

Directed by Yto Barrada

In 2003, Barrada presented a table-sized automated model Gran Royal Turismo based on a road racing set. A convoy of three black Mercedes emerges from a tunnel and just before they arrive at the town, palm trees push out of the ground, the sidewalks and walls flip over to reveal clean freshly painted surfaces, flags blossom along the route. It seems to be like a Potemkin Village display – perhaps for the benefit of a visiting head of state.