[S]exposed: inspiring dialogue around street harassment through immersive art

3 min read 23 Feb 2026 Download text

Two The Hague-based creators, Lotte Ottevanger and Safiye Janson, want to stimulate conversations around street harassment through their installation and their collaborative work as Studio Ongepast.

By Olga Jimenez

Intern International Media Coordination

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Titled [S]exposed, their installation recreates the emotional experience of street harassment – something that two in three young women experience each year in the Netherlands*. Measuring two and a half metres long and one metre wide, the structure places participants in the shoes of a woman walking alone through a dark alley at night.

Inspiring change through art

[S]exposed was created out of Lotte Ottevanger’s personal experience. While walking through a city centre deep in thought, two male passersby interjected that she would look better with a smile. The encounter stayed with her. Around the same time, the #MeToo movement was gaining global attention, reinforcing her motivation to address street harassment through art.

“I think street harassment can be so many things. It can be scary, it can also be really frustrating… And that's what makes it interesting to translate this feeling, as it's a range of different emotions," says Ottevanger

Studio Ongepast is where the installation developed into its current form. Ottevanger teamed up with Janson, a sociology student at the University of Amsterdam. Their shared frustration with gender inequalities and desire to create change formed the basis of their collaboration. Ongepast – meaning inappropriate in Dutch – was a deliberate name choice for their studio. “It stands for having open conversations about topics that are usually seen as uncomfortable, and that would rather be avoided in social settings,” says Janson.

Through their work, the duo hope to create opportunities for conversations around street harassment and women’s safety.

Since 2024, street harassment has been included in Dutch criminal law, making it punishable by imprisonment or a fine. The creators see legislation as an important step but emphasise that cultural change requires broader involvement.

Creating conditions that stimulate dialogue

By creating an immersive experience, the installation aims to spark discussions and awareness around gender inequalities and safety in public spaces. When participants exit the installation, they are invited to talk about their experience and are given an action plan outlining what to do if they witness or become a victim of street harassment.

It’s really about making impact, creating awareness, but also to create change

Lotte Ottevanger

Making streets safer and more inclusive as Night Mayor

Next to her day job as an artist, Ottevanger is also the Night Mayor of The Hague. Elected in October 2025, she works closely with the Municipality and the night council, including organisers, entrepreneurs, and audiences, to make nightlife safer and more inclusive in the city.

The installation connects directly to this broader agenda. A nightlife-focused version of [S]exposed is currently in development, exploring how harassment manifests in club and festival settings. By combining her artistic practice with civic engagement, Ottevanger hopes to bring conversations about safety into both cultural spaces and policy discussions.

Future plans for Studio Ongepast

The duo is developing an English version (currently only available in Dutch) of the installation. There is also ongoing work to include LGBTQ+ perspectives, as they recognise that intimidation in public spaces affects different communities in distinct ways.

Future plans include creating a walking route through the city after sundown that encourages participants to reflect on safety beyond the static installation setting.