It is a modern phenomenon to see pairs of training shoes hanging around the cities. They dangle from telecommunication wires, belying their original principle. Air Jordan’s indeed. They have been around for years and they seem to breed. But it is not a wonder how they got there. It is not a wonder why either, even though there have been reams of speculation.
Gang Culture
In the U.S. it has been rumoured that pairs of kicks tied around wires mark territory, or crack houses, or slayings. Now most kids who want to discard their old pumps throw them in the bin, but some throw them out of the window in an attempt to affect their environment and proclaim that they did it. It has grown into a more artistic pursuit too. Before it fell down, the tree in Morley Field, San Diego was a recognised photo opportunity and an evolving artwork that anyone could contribute too.
Folk Sport
There is an elm tree on the Lewes Road end of The Level in Brighton, at the back of the skate park, festooned with the once sweaty footwear. Proximity might suggest that wild youth is taking advantage of the situation. Kids like to throw stuff. They like to aim at things when they throw stuff. You can imagine their whoops of delight and high – fives when a successful hit is made. It’s a game as old as time, like chucking pebbles at flotsam in the sea, or hurling snowballs. It’s a folk sport. At the elm on The Level something a little more permanent happens. It may be more than cocky kids with bolas.
Sneakers
These sneakers hang around for longer than their odour and when more join them something is created. It is a juxtaposition of natural and man – made fibres. It is also a subconscious cultural commentary on Afro – American practices, European tradition and Asian stitching. It is an artwork of its time and place. It is a coming together. It is a random pattern. The shoes can only land where they do because of the tree’s natural outreaches, and we are told nothing is left to chance in nature. The pattern mimics nature’s own fruitful displays, in a strange way. It’s organic.
Tradition
This accidental art has its roots in tradition. Welly – wanging was, and tree dressing is, a common cultural event. Only two hundred yards away from the skate park there is a recycle spot for ex – Christmas trees, reminding us that we all like to decorate and say to nature that it is not fancy enough. The high colour of some of the footwear in the elm is lost amongst the branches, or the winter sun, or the backdrop of a grey sky when no one looks up, but they are gaudy baubles nonetheless.
Shoe Grafitti
Of course it might be a stretch to excuse the disposal of unwanted goods into trees just because there is the ballistic means to do so. It is opportunity and affordability. But out of this disregard for nature and thrift comes something that affects the landscape and therefore the eye. It is more than vandalism. It is more than an indictment of our disposable consumerist society. "Shoefiti" is a primal urge and a riddance to rubbish that weighs heavy on all who witness it. Even the tree.
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