To provide a planar article which has a plurality of shape memory wires and can simply be formed in one of various sizes without using a gel-like substance for retaining a distance between the adjacent shape memory wires.

This cloth-like planar article in which a plurality of the shape memory wires 2 arranged in parallel are combined with a plurality of parallel stripe members 3 crossing the shape memory wires 2 to hold a distance W between the wires 2, 2 is characterized by applying an insulating coating to the shape memory wires 2 and/or using insulated stripe members 3. The stripe members 3 are produced from a synthetic resin, such as a polyester, in a shape such as filament yarns, twisted yarns or thin tapes, and are flexible.