'It Felt Like I Know You' is a fascinating photo series that captures subway commuters' reactions when they have their personal space invaded by a stranger sitting next to them. For the series, photographer George Ferrandi sat next to people on the subway and, pretending to be asleep, rested her head on their shoulders.
The reactions of the unsuspecting commuters was then photographed. These reactions ranged from surprise and amusement to anger and bewilderment. The project, part photography and part performance art, aims to explore the barriers people set up around themselves, and how these barriers cause personal fears and loneliness.
Ferrandi said she treated each 'performance' as a sculpture in that she tried to think of the space between herself and another subway commuter as an invisible sculptural material.
The scenes were captured by Ferrandi's assistant Angela Gilland on her cellphone.
Personal Space Invasion Photos
This Photo Series Shows Subway Commuters Reacting to Strangers
Trend Themes
1. Personal Space Invasion - Exploring the impact of invading others' personal space in public transportation can lead to innovative solutions for more comfortable and respectful commuting experiences
2. Subway Commuter Behavior - Observing and analyzing subway commuter behavior can offer insights for businesses, particularly those in the transportation industry, to improve customer satisfaction and service
3. Photography as Performance Art - Using photography as a means of performance art can create new opportunities for artists to explore social issues and bring attention to important topics beyond traditional mediums of expression
Industry Implications
1. Transportation - By studying subway commuter behavior, transportation companies can innovate services to address customer needs and improve overall commuter experience
2. Art - Adopting photography as a tool for performance art can lead to new opportunities for artists to express themselves and inspire social commentary for positive change
3. Marketing - The Personal Space Invasion trend highlights the importance of customer satisfaction and the significance of understanding consumers' needs and expectations in marketing