Hanging Out (2023)

by Mariel Bass, Erik Demaine, and Martin Demaine

Each sheet of paper (9.5 feet by 2.3 feet) is printed with hundreds to thousands of hand-drawn characters, which in total represent exactly the 41,732 people in Fitchburg, MA (according to the 2021 census). The printed pattern in each sheet is unique, and generated with a custom algorithm. Each strip of paper has a secret — a single upside-down character — for the viewer to find.

Make your own random perspective layouts with your own images using our open-source layout software!

Printed and folded paper, 5ft × 10ft × 14ft tall, 2023. Part of the Paper Town exhibit at the Fitchburg Art Museum, February 4–June 4, 2023.

Unfolded Paper

Here are the printed patterns for the 12 primary sheets of paper (each 9.5 feet by 2.3 feet). The number of people is exactly 41,732.

Character Layout Software

Make your own random perspective layouts with your own images using our open-source layout software!

A perspective layout of 150 umbrella men

Last updated November 11, 2023 by Erik Demaine.Accessibility