Softman 3000 is a project that seamlessly blends textile art and product design with the aim of
crafting an object of desire. Designed as a would-be bestseller for home shopping ne- tworks, Softman 3000 playfully and ironically caters to all the needs and desires traditionally associated with women. This project
offers a satirical commentary on the objectification of women, domestic violence, and also serves as a call to embra- ce new forms of masculinity. As the name suggests, Softman embodies the qualities of a soft, gentle, and vulnerable man— one who listens, provides affection, and demands nothing in return.

Softman 3000 draws its inspiration from 1950s appliance ad- vertisements, the fictional commercials in Almodóvar’s films, and, most significantly, the world of home textiles—a creative domain historically confined to women. Anca Petrei seeks to explore this field from a subversive and empowering perspec- tive. Through Softman 3000, she challenges conventional na- rratives and reclaims home textiles as a powerful medium for artistic experimentation.

Winner of the Professionalization Grant at the 2023 Young Art Exhibition.