Same Soup Different Flavour: 100 Pairs of Converse Shoes
Inspired by an object that is widely recognizable and has earned a prominent role within popular culture, I was influenced by the Warholian aesthetic, of using an uncomplicated representation with the intention of shifting its interpretation, allowing the viewer to dissect and analyze the object and its purpose. Working with the idea of mass production of an object, I achieve this through repetition and large quantities of imagery. Presenting the shoes as simple objects, with their mundane and utilitarian function, and considered a ready-made, they are brought into the realm of high art, while also commenting on branding and the power of advertising. By using a variety of designs and colours, I am underlining the idea of designed obsolescence within mass consumption, where design options and availability have become endless, with the intention of helping express the individuality of the consumer and best contribute to their own image. Showcasing the shoes in this clean and ordered format allows the viewer to focus solely on the shoes and compare the differences between each pair and recognize how each have been worn and shaped individually. I have essentially created a portrait gallery of an object that is used as a method of personal expression, while also acknowledging that the object has become a fashionable commodity in pop culture.
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Vancouver General Hospital Intensive Care Unit Inducted into Permanent Collection 2010 Burrard SkyTrain Station Vancouver, BC | September 2009 – October 2010 | Emily Carr University of Art + Design 2009 Grad Show – Concourse Gallery | May 2nd – 10th, 2009 | |
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