Merge

Merge is a modular wearable sculpture conceived as a portable spatial structure surrounding the body. It consists of nine interchangeable units that can be assembled into multiple configurations, allowing the form to expand, contract, or shift depending on how it is worn. Through this modular logic, the piece moves beyond a fixed object and becomes a flexible system that responds to different bodily situations.

Six units are constructed from transparent acrylic printed with photographic images of eyes, while three incorporate mirrored surfaces. Together, these components generate a dynamic visual dialogue between wearer and viewer. The eye units create a surrounding presence that suggests protection through collective observation, while the mirrored units redirect the gaze outward, reflecting viewers back to themselves.

The project examines the tension between visibility and protection within a culture shaped by continuous observation. Rather than treating the body as a passive surface, the structure establishes an active spatial boundary that mediates the relationship between self and others. Although observation is unavoidable, the manner of response remains individual. Each configuration produces a distinct balance between exposure, reflection, and concealment.

By integrating symbolic imagery with a modular structural system, Merge transforms wearing into an adjustable spatial experience. The body becomes an active site of negotiation rather than a passive surface of display. Through reconfiguration and gesture, the wearer negotiates perception, proximity, and collective presence.