Shiny Objects

All that glitters.

Every three to five years, the fashion world proudly proclaims, "metallics are the next hot trend!"  You don't expect such exclamations from the art world.  And yet . . .

On a recent trip to New York, metallic works, particularly those having something to do with footwear seemed to be everywhere.  I suppose we could blame Jeff Koons for the situation what with all those luscious metallic balloon dogs and gazing balls and classically-inspired statuary.

I'll admit, I have no problem falling for the shining spectacles the art-world seems to be embracing.  So here's a salute to this year's "hot trend" in the art world; metallic shoes.

Thom Browne Selects

For the on-going series at the Cooper Hewitt museum, Thom Browne explored ideas of reflection and individuality with historic and contemporary mirrors and frames from the museum's collection.

Shine

Included in the installation are sixty pairs of nickel-plated leather wingtip brogues designed by Browne himself.   The nicket-plated desk and accessories were also created by Browne.

The details

And installation detail of the nickel plated shoes sitting on an Osborne and Little wallpaper called Rombico.  The paper is holographic foil on non-woven ground, laser engraved.

Lineup, 1993

Installation view of Gary Simmons Lineup, 1993 (acrylic on wood with gold-plated basketball shoes)

Gilded police lineup

Gary Simmons Lineup wonders who the owners of these shoes might be; what are our assumptions of their identities.

The value of sneakers

The Gary Simmons notes, "A lot of kids were shooting each other over their sneakers. . . Si I was really looking at that kind of violence . . . and who was driving that kind of market, that economy."