Iris van Asperen

While writing my thesis, I concluded that in Zwolle, there are no official figures showing how unsafe women can feel on the streets. Yet, these unsafe moments occur often enough. Only red-handed offences can be punished, but often these kinds of moments happen too quickly or in places where few others are present.

With the "Indelible" project, I'm collecting those unseen moments: personal stories of women who felt unsafe in public spaces. Each story is stored in a small evidence bag—a tangible document of something that usually goes unnamed. The bags are hung on a large map of Zwolle, precisely at the location where it happened. This creates a growing landscape of experiences, of stories that might otherwise remain unheard and tucked away.

Visitors can add their own experiences to the exhibition. Each new bag of evidence reveals what often remains unsaid.

I also focus on men—not with an accusatory finger, but with a wink. Using small stickers with short, humorous prompts, I challenge them to reflect on their behaviour in public spaces. Not a heavy lesson, but a lighthearted invitation to awareness: how can you contribute to a street where women do feel safe?

Safety on the street shouldn't be the exception, but a shared principle. Perhaps that starts with a story. Or with a sticker.