Ghost Factory, English Edition

What would it take to run a ghost factory, engaging hundreds of people in the manufacture of a large physical object, where no-one knows what they are making, until the moment of completion? 

This booklet describes a process that took over six months and engaged hundreds of people from across China.

The experiment was conducted using six rules:

1. It must engage people from across China.
2. Every Chinese person can recognise the final thing that is made.
3. None of the people taking part should understand what is being made.
4. Only Chinese services can be used.
5. That the experiment goal and process is reviewed after each step.
6. The process must be transparent.

The final assembly was carried out on a Shanghai rooftop – the movie below was shot from an empty flat in a nearby apartment. 

Previously published as "RedMat: A Design Experiment".