Shirt Quest is an interactive exhibit developed by the Hybrid Things Lab for the Augsburg State Textile and Industry Museum funded by Volkswagen Foundation.
The exhibit makes it possible to experience how social, ecological, and economic sustainability are interconnected in textile production, enabling visitors to directly grasp these relationships through their own actions.
A finished T-shirt reveals little about the hidden costs of its production. Shirt Quest brings these into view through play, making complex relationships tangible and highlighting the importance of sustainable consumption and the circular economy for the future of the textile industry.
Tangible tokens represent four stages of textile production, from cotton cultivation and spinning to dyeing and sewing. By placing them on the interactive table, visitors shape the production process, influencing its environmental impact, working conditions and the final price of a T-shirt.
This interaction process presents sustainability as a shared responsibility that can be engaging and enjoyable, encouraging visitors to participate actively and work together towards measurable, positive change.
The installation was developed in cooperation with the Education and Learning Lab for Sustainability Innovations (ELLSI Learning Lab at the Recycling Atelier Augsburg). The museum is currently expanding its permanent exhibition with a focus on the topic of sustainability in global textile production.
Photos: Olga Toltinova, Jan Hommes
Movie: Florian Tilscher
Movie: Florian Tilscher
