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People Probably Weren’t Expecting To See This Case Of Perfect Urban Camouflage When They Took Public Transport
People Probably Weren’t Expecting To See This Case Of Perfect Urban Camouflage When They Took Public Transport
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People Probably Weren’t Expecting To See This Case Of Perfect Urban Camouflage When They Took Public Transport

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Extravagant clothes design, complicated multicolored geometric textile patterns and a brave selection of fabrics are not exclusively for front running-fashion designers anymore. Public transport is the newest source of pure gold when it comes to courageous style and nobody knows that better than German artist Menja Stevenson.

In 2008, Menja Stevenson began a daring project called “Bustour”, which combined performance art, photography, and social experiments. She spent three years designing clothes from transit fabric patterns and wore them in Public transport, creating stunning photos as she seamlessly blended in with transportation interiors and observed the reactions of other passengers.

Artist wanted to illustrate how fabric patterns imprint into our daily routine and our memory, so much so that we no longer consciously notice it.

Menja had to do a lot of persuading to get transport companies to donate the fabric to her, which is not publicly available, but it was all worth it in the end.

More info: menjastevenson.de

(h/t BBC)

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    A slightly bored expression, dreamy look through the window, hands on the lap – just a casual passenger living her daily struggles. Except that her outfit is conspicuously inconspicuous

    Image credits: Menja Stevenson

    Menja says, that you are probably mistaken if you think that people accept ugliness of their surroundings, they are just not aware of it

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    Image credits: Menja Stevenson

    “Such a pattern, like a lot of everyday things, imprints itself into our memory unconsciously without being actually perceived. Through my intervention, the beholder becomes aware of the invisible fabric… I wanted to get the unseen seen”

    Image credits: Menja Stevenson

    Menja was very proud she managed to convince German transportation companies to send her the commercially-unavailable fabric, which was challenging to work with, as the stiff fabric often broke the needle

    Image credits: Menja Stevenson

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    “Wearing them, you sweat like crazy, they feel like a knight’s armour and it’s hard to act naturally”

    Image credits: Menja Stevenson

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    A performance that combined humour and social criticism didn’t receive a massive reaction from other passengers. Only few laughed and the rest were shy or looked the other way

    Image credits: Menja Stevenson

    “I couldn’t believe that many people didn’t realize the connection seeing me and the seats together. Did they think that it was sheer coincidence?”

    Image credits: Menja Stevenson

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    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Approved Contributor

    Read more »

    I am a Brazilian digital artist who loves transforming imagination into hyper-real visuals. I work with artificial intelligence and image editing to create what I always wondered as a child: how would our favorite characters look in real life? Over time, many of my artworks have gone viral and were featured in international publications. I have recreated realistic versions of cartoon characters such as Disney and The Simpsons, imagined how celebrities who died young would look today, and even gave modern faces to historical figures like Mona Lisa or Shakespeare. Beyond entertainment, I created Para Não Esquecer, a social project that revisits memorable criminal cases in Brazil. My goal is to honor victims, keep memory alive and remind society that justice and empathy matter. I also write for Bored Panda, where I create articles featuring artists, photographers, rescue stories and feel-good moments from around the world. My work aims to highlight creativity, kindness and emotional storytelling. In everything I do, my purpose is the same: to touch hearts, evoke emotion and make people feel something real.

    Read less »
    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Approved Contributor

    I am a Brazilian digital artist who loves transforming imagination into hyper-real visuals. I work with artificial intelligence and image editing to create what I always wondered as a child: how would our favorite characters look in real life? Over time, many of my artworks have gone viral and were featured in international publications. I have recreated realistic versions of cartoon characters such as Disney and The Simpsons, imagined how celebrities who died young would look today, and even gave modern faces to historical figures like Mona Lisa or Shakespeare. Beyond entertainment, I created Para Não Esquecer, a social project that revisits memorable criminal cases in Brazil. My goal is to honor victims, keep memory alive and remind society that justice and empathy matter. I also write for Bored Panda, where I create articles featuring artists, photographers, rescue stories and feel-good moments from around the world. My work aims to highlight creativity, kindness and emotional storytelling. In everything I do, my purpose is the same: to touch hearts, evoke emotion and make people feel something real.

    What do you think ?
    Helena
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm super impressed with your determination.

    Sophia Cai
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you should try it in poland. Here in Warsaw the seats have landmark patterns on them.

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    Aahzmandus Pervect
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is really interesting and some of the outfits look cool, but where are all those other passengers she's talking about?

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    Helena
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm super impressed with your determination.

    Sophia Cai
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you should try it in poland. Here in Warsaw the seats have landmark patterns on them.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Aahzmandus Pervect
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is really interesting and some of the outfits look cool, but where are all those other passengers she's talking about?

    Load More Comments
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