Archive for the ‘sneakers’ Category
Kicks-n-Canvas Video
Check out this video from the Kicks-n-Canvas show. We like when non-traditional art objects are given the fine art treatment. Cheers to SoleHeaven and Zero Cool Gallery for making this event happen. Love to see these end up as production footwear in our Sneakers category. Just sayin’.
Kicks-n-Canvas Custom Sneakers
I’ve often said that sneaker collectors and toy collectors have a lot in common, chiefly: recognizing art and value in something most people regard as disposable. The sneakerheads at SoleHeaven got together with the art crew of Zero Cool Gallery to merge their passions into the Kicks ‘n’ Canvas exhibition. The show is set to open in central London on April 8th and will feature artists such as Goldie, INSA, Dan Baldwin, Meggs, Ben Frost, Mr. Jago and Dickchicken alongside Jon.
SoleHeaven presents Kicks n Canvas, a fresh concept on the art scene. The idea for the event is to bring together two of SoleHeaven’s most loved pursuits - Kicks & Art. We’ve locked down a scorching line-up of 21 artists primed and ready to paint. The concept of the show is to confront traditional graffiti writers and artists with a new canvas, and thats a pair of pristine all-white Nike kicks. We are throwing down the sneaker gauntlet to see them transfer their styles from the metal shutters, concrete bridges and underpasses on to a pair of trainers. Every artist will be hand painting and customizing a pair of kicks and teaming it up with a 50×50cm piece.
The Doodlesplatter posse knows that Jon is no stranger to footwear. These are especially cool-looking kicks, in my opinion. I’m digging the backs (or is that called “Heel Counter” in sneaker-speak…). Thanks to Anthony at Zero Cool for providing the photos. Unfortunately, I’m an ocean away from attending this event, but if you’re on the right continent, check out Kicks ‘n’ Canvas by RSVPing here.
Animated Clothing for Virtual Worlds
Jon’s presence in virtual reality now extends beyond the landscape of LittleBigPlanet and the art galleries of Second Life. Lockwood Publishing has inked a deal to full-on Burgerize your PlayStation Home. According to this brief post, “everything from glowsticks to sofas will be released on a monthly basis.” Lockwood has also teased me with promises of animated (moving) furniture. AlphaZone4 got pictures of some of the shirts and sneakers. Check it out after the jump!
Plimsolls Doodled Sneakers From Swound
Check out these Swound toe cap white Plimsolls with colorful artwork by Jon. They’ll run you just £19.99, and they’re available in a bunch of UK sizes from Sole Music. If you’re feeling sneaker-happy, a few pairs of Jon’s doodled Nikes are back in stock at Burgerplex.
Customized Trainers for Worthless Charity
Nike donated a sneaker, and Jon turned it into art for a charity art show benefiting the MS Society of the UK curated by Pollocks.
Inspired by the recession and compelled to create something positive, ‘Worthless’ is a live art installation that explores the value of material objects in the heart of Seven Dials. For one week only (May 22nd–29th) members of the public were invited to bring their own ‘worthless’ items into the store, and have them transformed into pieces of art.
The event pays homage to the institution that once was Woolworths, via ironic references throughout the installation space. A team of Pollocks creatives worked continually throughout the week on transforming items into works of art. The experience cumulates for the customer, when on collection of their item, they will be asked to pay how much they feel the new item is worth.
A pick’n’mix of ‘worthless to priceless’ creations will be exhibited in the store from June 1-5, with several items being auctioned at Octave Jazz Bar on behalf of the MS Society.
I wonder if the lucky bidder will keep it under plexi? I wore my DC x KAWS kicks, and I still don’t regret it.
Nike Magnificent Seven
These Nike “Magnificent 7″ sneakers (aka “trainers,” “tennis shoes,” and “kicks”) doodled upon by Jon were only available in Europe in 2008. Turns out he collaborated with Nike to create kicks centered around a Venus Fly Trap doodle. The set includes pairs of Nike Shox R4, Nike Shox NZ, Nike Air Max LTD 2, Nike Air Max 90, Nike Air Max 1 and Nike CBW. From the article Top Illustrators Decorate Nike Trainers:
There was two themes, ‘Recognise the Original’ and ‘Seduced by Innovation’. These were concepts already developed at Nike, and was the starting point for exploration of the themes. We then art-directed our chosen illustrators to get designs that we could use. Mainly Illustrator/Photoshop files, but some illustrators still sketch with a pencil, then scan [them in] for approval before working up the designs. They were given a trainer template too, but told to ignore it.
Adidas Adicolor
Jon hand-customized a pair of sneakers (that’s ‘trainers’ in the UK or ‘tennis shoes’ in certain parts of the US) and a cap for the Adidas Adicolor Exhibition in Taiwan in 2006.
Sneaker Pimps Customized Sneakers
Jon customized a pair of Royal Elastics for the Sneaker Pimps show in 2005. Here’s a Flickr set of the show. And here’s another pair of miscellaneous one-off custom kicks by Jon.
Custom 