If the Shoe Fits…It's Art?
The sneakers on your feet may not be just ripped and worn out. They may also be works of art.
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art showed more than 150 pairs of athletic shoes, also called sneakers, in an exhibit named “Design Afoot: Athletic Shoes 1995 to 2000.” The museum featured several popular brands. The shoes were set out on shelves so viewers could compare their materials, colors, shapes, and designs.
But why would a museum exhibit shoes? According to Ruth Keffer, one of the people in charge of the exhibit, the design and detail of some athletic shoes make them works of art. They're not just something you wear on the basketball court or running track. “You're getting unbelievably beautiful and amazing and wonderful-looking shoes,” she said.
Design Challenges
Shoes are worn by nearly everyone in the world. Few objects designed by people are as common as shoes.
But designing a good shoe is not easy. It must be strong and comfortable. And, in the United States and other countries where people are concerned about fashion, many people demand that their shoes also look good.
The Athletic Shoe Industry Takes Off
In the 1960s and 1970s, people in this country started wanting to become healthier and more physically fit. Companies then tried to get people to want special shoes and clothing to wear while exercising. They began using new designs, colors, and materials so that more people would want their products.
In the 1980s, shoe companies began having famous athletes advertise their shoes on television. These ads made preteens and teens feel that wearing certain brands of sneakers would make them popular. The strategy worked and a strong market for “designer” athletic shoes was born. Some of these shoes cost as much as $150.
Companies now sell designer athletic shoes to everyone from preschoolers to the elderly. The competition among brands has led companies to invent more designs and materials for the common sneaker. Athletic shoes have become fancier and flashier (and sometimes flashing!).
Where Will It End?
It seems that there may be no end to the amazing designs for sneakers. You can find sneakers with wheels fitted into the soles, so the wearer may either walk or skate. Some designers have worked to create a high-fashion style for their sneakers. Those shoes are still sneakers, but they are not worn for playing basketball. They are worn by people going to fancy restaurants!
Sneakers and the athletic shoe industry have come a long way from the plain white “tennis shoes” people wore in the 1960s. Computers have helped people create wild styles. The shoe industry, which first created the demand for fancy athletic shoes, is busy keeping consumers wanting newer and cooler styles.
Remember…This Is Art!
As you look at your shoes and at the shoes on your friends' feet, remember the museum exhibit. You and your friends are wearing art. Explain that to your parents the next time you say you need new sneakers.