– The sculpture “Live Culture Force 1’s” is displayed at the St. Louis Art Museum
– It is a grounded F-22 Raptor jet made completely out of Air Jordan sneakers
– The creator, Brian Jungen, is renowned for infusing Indigenous culture and contemporary themes in his works
– “Live Culture Force 1’s” emphasizes on the influence of corporate power and cultural appropriation
– The sculpture is expected to emerge as a crowd puller.
Stepping into the Art World with Sneakers
The St. Louis Art Museum has added an intriguing new piece to its collection – a grounded F-22 Raptor jet made completely out of Air Jordan sneakers. The sculpture is expected to be the next crowd magnet, owing to its unusual construct and deep cultural relevance.
Brian Jungen: Art, Activism and Air Jordans
Created by Brian Jungen, a Canadian artist recognized for his keen infusion of Indigenous culture into contemporary themes, the sculpture is aptly titled “Live Culture Force 1’s”. The piece aims to underscore the power and influence of corporations and also critique cultural appropriation in society. Jungen, known for using everyday items in his art, manipulated the iconic athletic wear into a potent symbol of both military and corporate power.
Substance Beyond Novelty
But it’s not all sneaker-game, there’s an essential message beneath the novelty. Through this sculpture, Jungen makes a commentary on the mechanics of a capitalist society and raises issues like branding infiltration into different cultures, the might of global corporations, and cultural misappropriations.
The Breezy Take
“Live Culture Force 1’s” draws spectators with its unusual form, while challenging them with a profound cultural narrative. It’s not just an ‘Air Jordan Jet’; it’s a thought-provoking portrayal of the power structures of today’s society. The sculpture exhibits art’s versatile power to mirror society, revealing ambiguities, raising questions, and encouraging thought. This novel blend of contemporary pop-culture artifacts and highbrow art challenges us to think beyond the obvious – perhaps the real gut punch is delivered not by the Air Jordan’s aesthetic allure but by the heavy socio-political commentary it carries.
Original article: https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2023-08-30/aaron-fowler-makes-his-own-big-shoes-to-fill-by-creating-art-that-embodies-hip-hop