Artist Shoetree Exhibits His Botanical Sneakers
Japanese artist Kosuke Sugimoto, known aptly as Shoetree, recently opened a new exhibition in Japan called 'Justification of Deterioration.' Shoetree is known for using popular sneakers as pots for plants, with serious moss and vines grown onto the exterior too. The exhibition is showcasing a number of prominent Nikes and Jordans that have been repurposed for botanical uses by his green fingers. His art has taken the world by storm, featuring in prominent magazines like Vogue and HYPEBEAST's print edition!
But how does Shoetree do it?
He says, through a three-year 'deterioration' process called Hydrolysis, the plants fuse together with the sneakers as a result of what is described as 'bad storage conditions' - a process that would typically take five years under more normal conditions. He got the inspiration from the moss and vines that tend to overtake old and ruined buildings, leading him to try and mimic a similar appearance through shoes like the Air Max 95, Air Jordan 5 Retro, Air More Uptempo and even the Foamposite. 'I aim to create mystery, and a harmony as though everything were one, while also maintaining the realism in my works,' says Shoetree.
The pop-up is open now until Monday 22 July.
SHOETREE for CIAOPANIC Pop-Up
CIAOPANIC baseyard
Shibuya Ward, Tokyo 6-12-22
Akita Building 1F
