Amidst the impending heatwaves, wildfires, and floods, Sruli Recht envisions what footwear could become as climate change continues to take effect on our world. The award-winning Icelandic artists wrestled with how to adapt human behavior to the new world. The result is a project titled "Damage: Shoes for a Post Traumatic Future."
The project includes three pairs of striking footwear that illustrate the future of wading through floods and enduring stifling heat. Designed to be sold as works of art, the shoes in Recht's project are available on NFT marketplaces. Prompted by the need to turn shoes into functional objects, the project includes the Venice_Heel, inspired by the city's devastating 2019 flood. The second is the Phase_Change concept shoe, which tackles temperature imbalances by cooling the body from the feet up. Finally, the Un-Balanced shoe helps the brain regulate balance with the illusion of instability.
Climate Change-Oriented Shoes
Sruli Recht Envisions Footwear in a Climate Changing World
Trend Themes
1. Climate-adaptive Footwear - Innovative shoe designs that address the challenges of a changing climate.
2. Artistic Functional Works - Creating footwear as functional works of art expands the potential consumer base and opens up new opportunities for artistic expression and innovation.
3. Multifunctional Footwear - Designing footwear that serves multiple purposes, such as cooling the body and regulating balance, presents new opportunities for innovation and market disruption.
Industry Implications
1. Footwear Industry - Shoe companies can embrace climate-adaptive designs that can serve as works of art and as functional footwear to attract eco-conscious consumers.
2. Art Industry - Incorporating footwear into an art piece allows for greater creative expression and could lead to new collaborations with designers, artists, and shoe companies.
3. Fashion Industry - Climate change-oriented shoes offer the fashion industry an opportunity to align with social and environmental values and create unique designs that serve multiple purposes.