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Street vendors occupy the outer layer of stalls, creating a vibrant and active interface with the rest of the square. Visitors are enticed inward by glimpses of more activity.

Non-conforming Bodies

Growing religious extremism in Indonesia has threatened to erode LGBT rights and increasingly obstruct members of marginalised communities from safely and authentically expressing themselves in public. In this context, engaging with informal and alternative ways of producing urban space can be crucial towards providing visibility for marginalised groups. This thesis project speculates on the future of public participation for these communities by re-imagining Taman Fatahillah as a setting for a festival for non-conforming bodies. This festival advocates for their right to public placemaking and reflects on practices which enable Indonesian trans women to present themselves authentically.

The fountain, as the centrepiece of the square, is a symbol which represents the public sphere from which marginalised communities have long been restricted from participating.

The fountain, as the centrepiece of the square, is a symbol which represents the public sphere from which marginalised communities have long been restricted from participating.

The minimalist structure and organised layout of the stalls enables a high degree of flexibility as each stall module accommodates a wide range of products and modes of display.

The minimalist structure and organised layout of the stalls enables a high degree of flexibility as each stall module accommodates a wide range of products and modes of display.

The inner layer of the pavilion complex is dedicated to stalls which celebrate the queer community and their acts of self-affirmation. Activities spill out beyond the boundaries of the stalls.

The inner layer of the pavilion complex is dedicated to stalls which celebrate the queer community and their acts of self-affirmation. Activities spill out beyond the boundaries of the stalls.

Scaffolding is symbolically significant as it carries connotations of change and ongoing invention. Agricultural netting and tarpaulin make up the canopy of each stall and are transformed through shirring.

Scaffolding is symbolically significant as it carries connotations of change and ongoing invention. Agricultural netting and tarpaulin make up the canopy of each stall and are transformed through shirring.

A large multipurpose theatre space occupies the eastern side of the square. Performances can also transcend the boundaries of the theatre to incorporate the open space around the fountain.

A large multipurpose theatre space occupies the eastern side of the square. Performances can also transcend the boundaries of the theatre to incorporate the open space around the fountain.