The sneakers are nowadays a cultural and collecting phenomenon. For me they are a part of my childhood and youth memories, an article of desire. I was born in the 80s, I am Andalusian and in my land they were an expensive product and not as massive as today. That … (read more)

The sneakers are nowadays a cultural and collecting phenomenon. For me they are a part of my childhood and youth memories, an article of desire. I was born in the 80s, I am Andalusian and in my land they were an expensive product and not as massive as today. That made them exclusive and even more desirable, more magical. My Visual toy "The Happy Wonderful Sneakers Factory" is about my fascination with sneakers as a fashion element, that fascination that one acquires in youth and that never leaves, and also a tribute to contemporary footwear that is part of our culture . For this work I have created a magical and crazy factory in its phase of pop decoration of the shoes.

The sneakers themselves are a tribute through a fusion of winning and immortal sneaker designs. The toe is from the Adidas Originals Superstar "Classic", the tongue of the Classic Reebok Pump, which was inflatable, the two side holes are from the Coverse Chuck Taylor and the side band that comes out behind is free inspiration from the Nike Air Jordan Classic but closed above the laces. The two air chambers do not correspond to any particular shoe, since the air chambers were a phenomenon of their own.

This work belongs to my exclusive collection of Visual Toys. It was one of my most elaborate works, first and only dedicated to sneakers.

More about the international awards, exhibitions and the work of Javier Arrés Visit: https://javierarres.com/about.html