Advertisement

Winged hats introduced at Paris gallery for social distancing

Introducing: 'winged' headwear

Location: France

An art gallery in Paris

introduced the unusual hats

inspired by an ancient Chinese dynasty

to ensure visitors follow

social distancing rules

while they peruse the displays

(SOUNDBITE) (French) MEMBER OF "59 RIVOLI" ARTISTS COLLECTIVE AND CREATOR OF "DECONFINEMENT HATS", DOMINIQUE POUZOL, ASKED ABOUT SONG DYNASTY INSPIRATION, SAYING:"Apparently back in the day, this was already used to prevent officials who wore these hats - also emperors, but officials more commonly - from whispering. And so, there was already this notion of social distancing, of not getting too close."

The whimsical papier-mache headwear

has long 'wings' which force people

to keep their distance

but also put smiles on guest's faces

(SOUNDBITE) (French) DIRECTOR OF "59 RIVOLI" ARTISTS COLLECTIVE, GASPARD DELANOE, SAYING:"The role of artists at a time like this is really to be able to create bubbles of imagination and new bubbles of joy. That means being in tune with what people are aspiring to."