It is common to hear people downplay a serious situation, e.g. cancer or scars, or jokingly talk about death or trauma in front of others. Vulnerability is the feeling of being exposed and unable to withstand the effects of a hostile environment (Cipolla, 2018). If downplay is a play behaviour, does play create a safe place for vulnerability? Does play allow people unconsciously let go of emotional baggage? Can play be used as a method to invite vulnerability more easily?

This project collaborated with Pratt institute, New York. I was paired with a communication designer and conducted play-inspired experimentations over 6 weeks. The jenga stamp experiments are predominantly conducted by me.

Inspired by a conversation with my friend, Jenga is the most popular sensory toy at her therapy session with children who have traumatic background. We developed Jenga questions and stamps.

There are different vulnerable levels in our body parts. In the Jenga Stamp experiment, hands and arms are usually the least vulnerable. Shoulders, face, ankles, calf are expected to be more sensitive. The most vulnerable part are usually the areas that are always covered by clothes.

Being vulnerable is uncomfortable and is especially amplified when talking to strangers. When the intimacy increases, the vulnerability decreases.The discomfort phase does not exist when intimate people play with each other. We inferred that because intimate people have already been comfortable with each other and the game is not at a level that makes them feel vulnerable.

We also observed different reactions in different social or spatial contexts. People are less likely to participate after a stressful class, compared to a cosy afternoon in the school. Skin area are less exposed in a cold park than a climbing gym, which influence how people react to the stamping game.