Hiding coat – sheltering in Shanghai

A playful approach to the topic of 'individual protective space' in a different culture: How is personal protective space – i.e. the space I need to be myself – perceived in a different culture? Together with a young Chinese artist, we set ourselves the task of capturing differences in cultural perceptions of protective spaces. The Hiding Coat served as a tactile mediator between us and our surroundings. Questions such as: What does a protective space mean to me? What feelings does the Hiding Coat trigger in me when I wear it? were the fundamental driving forces behind the project. On long walks through the city, we sought conversation with passers-by, shopkeepers and people we encountered in a wide variety of places.