The highly-anticipated “The Rise of Sneaker Culture” made its way to Atlanta with a variety of shoes in tow to please both the seasoned art critic and the impassioned local sneakerhead alike.
Atlanta, a city that acts as a hub for fashion, especially in regard to black fashion and the surrounding culture, is a match made in heaven for a sneaker exhibit. The summer-long installation at the High Museum of Art, which includes 155 sneakers, opened June 11 and will come to a close on August 14.
Among the 155 pairs of footwear, there is a vast range from relics, such as 1925 Dominion’s women’s heeled athletic shoes, to the 2015 “Yeezys” by Kanye West and Adidas. From artsy shoes, such as the Roy Lichtenstein-inspired “Powarama” by Pierre Hardy, to historical footworks, such as the “Obama Force Ones” and the Muhammad Ali-inspired “Ali Classic,” there is incredible diversity among the shoes on display.
Though there are a plethora of shoes, the following shoes stood out among the others due to their unique design, historical significance, modern-day relevance and/or intriguing composition.
The painted introductory mural that welcomes patrons to "The Rise of Sneaker Culture" reads: "Sneakers are worn by million of people worldwide and seem to transcend gender, age, social position, and socioeconomic condition. Yet the broad category of 'sneaker' contains a minefield of meaning of cultural significance."One of the exhibit's first glass-walled booths of footwear contains sneakers such as the 2015/2016 Adidas collaboration between Alexander Taylor and Parley for the Oceans; the 2014 "Missions," a collaboration between GE and Android Homme; and a pair of 2002 Air Jordans XVII, complete with a matching case.GE x Android Homme, Missions, 2014. This pair of shoes, with the moniker "Missions," was designed in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the moon landing. In lieu of the landing, silicon rubber, a material used in the boots that walked on the moon, was used in the Missions. Other "futuristic" materials used in the include carbon fiber and a hydrophobic coating.Adidas, Alexander Taylor x Parley for the Oceans, 2015/2016. This pair of Adidas were designed to raise awareness about the pollution and damaged state of the world's oceans. The upper portion and majority of the shoe is made of recycled plastic ocean waste."Stewie Griffin LeBron VI," Nike, 2009. The "Stewie Griffin LeBron VIs" were inspired by the cartoon character Stewie Griffin from Seth MacFarland's "Family Guy." The shoe mimics the bold lines and bright colors of cartoons. As a result, the shoes are reminiscent of Roy Lichtenstein paintings.Nike x Tom Sachs Whites (Original), 2008-2012. For the shoes, Nike collaborated with artist Tom Sachs, who is famous for working with materials at hand and has works surrounding the fetishization of branding. His themes and materials are observable in these shoes, which serve as the prototype of collection "NikeCraft."Nike x Tom Sachs Whites (Original), 2008-2012. For the shoes, Nike collaborated with artist Tom Sachs, who is famous for working with materials at hand and has works surrounding the fetishization of branding. His themes and materials are observable in these shoes, which serve as the prototype of collection "NikeCraft."Shantell Martin, 2012. Shantell Martin, an artist who has collaborated with Nike and Adidas, de-branded this pair of white leather high-tops and adorned them with her doodle-like drawings."The Cudi," Guiseppe Zanotti, 2015. These shoes, as you can probably guess from their name, were inspired by the rapper/actor Kid Cudi. Guiseppe designed a shoe that is simultaneously minimalistic and outlandish, with its bold, plain colors and puffy, over-sized straps.A portion of this exhibit focuses on the relationship between gender and sneaker culture. The older footwear in the collection perpetuates the unrealistic standards in women's fashion; whereas, the modern pieces lean toward transcending gendered fashion. One of the reasons for this section of the exhibit is due to the fact, as addressed by the print on the wall, that "the expressly masculine focus of sneaker culture today is reflected in the fact that footwear endorsed by female athletes has had little to no impact on sneaker culture and that the majority of the most coveted sneakers are not made in women's sizes, to the frustration of female sneakerheads.""YEEZY Season 1 YEEZY Boost," Kanye West x Adidas, 2015. The highly-coveted "Yeezys," designed by music mogul Kanye West, break away from the heuristic of athletic shoes due to being made from lavish, upscale materials and having a minimalist design. Another aspect of the "Yeezys" that differentiates them from traditional sneakers is their boot-shape.Black Satin Creeper, Rihanna x Puma, 2015. The Creepers are quipped with a ribbed rubber platform and satin laces. The sold-out shoes are widely-popular, partially due to Rihanna's superstar status. Fans of the singer flocked to the internet to purchase the Creepers in three installments with the first occurring in September 2015, the second in November and the third in May 2016."Platform Lane" Adidas x Raf Simmons, 2005. "Platform Lane" was a collaboration between Adidas and Belgian fashion designer Raf Simmons. The shoes capture the playful and vibrant spirit of the early 2000s with their bold colors, chunky design and ability to light-up, thanks to microchips embedded in the heel and tongue of the shoe. "Platform Lane" features a large platform that encases the upper portion of the shoe.Dominion Rubber Company Fleet Foot, 1925. This high-heeled shoe was surprisingly an athletic shoe for women. The lining resembles the popular modern-day "Oxford" shoe.
Click here to read Alimah’s review of the “Sneaker Culture” exhibit.
Jahleelah Shaheed, 16, is a rising senior and teen activist who is passionate about art and intersectional feminism.
