Handshake Culture
From a young age, I learned how to greet my friends on the playground — a nod, a gesture, a fist gently meeting another. But what is a fist bump, really? Where does this seemingly simple act come from, and what does it carry beneath the surface?
Often seen as informal, casual, or even cool, the fist bump raises deeper questions. Is it rooted in masculinity? Does it stem from street culture? And more importantly — what does it mean when two men greet each other this way? Can a moment of connection, or even intimacy, exist within that brief touch?
Within my project STOER, I explore the layers of “handshake culture” — specifically, the subtle language of the fist bump. I’m interested in the tension between strength and softness, between cultural codes and personal connection.
This project is currently in development. What follows are a few visual impressions — fragments of a growing exploration.
