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Activating Non-places

Yi Liu

I am deeply drawn to observing the rhythms of everyday life in the city, seeking through design to subtly shape the ways people live and experience their surroundings. I am fascinated by the dialogue between my work and the public, cherishing the immediate, face-to-face responses it evokes. The bonds my creations forge—with the world, the urban landscape, and the strangers who inhabit it—are the very impetus for my artistic practice.

I am deeply drawn to observing the rhythms of everyday life in the city, seeking through design t...

Activating Non-Places explores how fashion artefacts can intervene in urban spaces of transit to address feelings of anxiety, isolation, and disconnection. Drawing on personal experiences within London’s Overground trainline, the project responds to Marc Augé’s concept of the “non-place” and to the instability of identity associated with liquid modernity. 

Informed by the idea of the third place, the project introduces moments of social interaction into these anonymous environments. Through simple, shared actions, passengers are invited to form temporary gatherings and weak social ties, creating fleeting yet meaningful experiences of belonging within everyday journeys. 

The project consists of a series of interactive artefacts installed in overground train carriages. Made from powder-coated brass wire and orange-dyed leather, the pieces reference the material and colour branding codes with tactile qualities of London transport. By displacing the function of handrails, poles, and straps, the artefacts invite playful public engagement and demonstrate how individuals can actively reshape urban space through design and intervention. 

Final work

  • A hand strap displaced with a bouquet, inviting passengers to hold a bunch of flowers in the carriage and become gift-givers.
  • A hand strap displaced with a bouquet, inviting passengers to hold a bunch of flowers in the carriage and become gift-givers.
  • A powder-coated linear metal sculpture which replaces the standing pole in overground carriage and could hold a big bunch of flowers.
  • This is a hand strap displaced with a glockenspiel, inviting passengers to become temporary player in the fast moving carriages.
  • This is a hand strap displaced with a glockenspiel, inviting passengers to become temporary player in the fast moving carriages.
  • This is a pair of wine glasses that can be installed on the vertical poles in overground carriages, inviting strangers to clink glasses.
  • This is a drink holder installed on vertical pole, inviting passengers to place their drinks on it and come together to start conversations.
  • This is a hand strap displaced with a leaning swing, allowing passengers to lean on it and comfortably engage in a relaxed conversation with others.
  • This is a hand strap displaced with a leaning swing, allowing passengers to lean on it and comfortably engage in a relaxed conversation with others.
  • This is a lower swing designed for children, inviting people of different ages to join in the temporary party.
  • A pair of portable wine glasses designed for hosting gatherings, which can be transformed into hanging straps in overground carriages.
  • A pair of portable wine glasses designed for hosting gatherings, which can be transformed into hanging straps in overground carriages.

Research and process

  • Design Development
  • Design Development
  • Design Development
Design development

Process of "Portable Host"

During the development of the project, I often had ideas for pieces that would have a closer relationship with the body and be more wearable. I use the last piece to points toward the potential for future project development—wearing the ability of transforming space on the body, and further exploring how an individual can activate any space.

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Activating Non-places

Activating Non-Places explores how fashion artefacts can intervene in urban spaces of transit to address feelings of anxiety, isolation, and disconnection. Drawing on personal experiences within London’s Overground trainline, ...

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