iSphereBerlin, Germany, 2020
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally reshaped social interaction and our perception of reality. Confronted with lockdowns and the sudden absence of physical contact, we began to question how social life might mutate. As a response, iSphere translates Plastique Fantastique’s large-scale spatial installations into a compact, wearable format, offering a playful perspective on a post-pandemic world and how we might reclaim shared spaces.
When face masks became mandatory on Berlin’s public transport in April 2020, we launched iSphere as an open-source project, inviting everyone to produce, develop, and improve their own version. Its modular design allows for adaptation, customization, and collective use, while its functionality invites personal additions: sunshade, mirrored visor, microphone, speaker, fan, or snorkel. The iconic silhouette draws from the science-fiction comics of the 1950s and the utopian design movements of the 1960s: it is pop in spirit and accessible to all. At once humorous and critical, the project stimulates us to rethink how we occupy public space in times of crisis and navigate exceptional situations.
A special thanks to:
Marco Barotti for all his support and the video and photo shooting.
