Futures Past, Nike Air Max 2090, Installation, Livestock, Toronto, 2020
Can we learn from our past to build a better future?
This Air Max 2090 display is built on the foundation of our past, through materials exploration of repurposed and found material.
The main structure is an ‘integrated marble’ — a mixture of Hydro-Stone gypsum cement with materials that were headed to landfill: sawdust, wood chips, acrylic offcuts and fibres, construction debris, and a pair of old Nike shoes. Inspired by the Reuse-A-Shoe program, an old Air Max shoe was ground down and used as a filler for this newer material. With the addition of these reused materials, we were able to offset the amount of newer material that was used and turn waste into art without it being visually apparent.
The Acrylic LED lit fins mimic the ridges and lines on the heel of the Air Max 2090 and Air Max 90. Cut through the centre of the fins is an air gap in the shape of the iconic Air Max bubble. The round shapes are an homage to the many ball sports Nike is essential to, and humanity's search for a future life on another planet. The stand is a hexagon, one of nature’s strongest and most efficient shapes. It’s made from reclaimed hardwood flooring similar to that found in most gyms; a nod to the history of sport.
Material List
New materials: Hydro-Stone, Nike Airmax 2090, 0% VOC Glue
Recycled/Reused materials: Oak flooring, Pine, Screws, Acrylic Plexiglass, Shredded Nike Airmax Tava, Construction Debris, Sawdust, Acrylic offcuts, LED Light
Video
Creative direction: Justin Pape & Nicole Charles
Editing, Soundtrack: Justin Pape
Futures Past, Nike Air Max 2090, Installation, Livestock, Toronto, 2020
Can we learn from our past to build a better future?
This Air Max 2090 display is built on the foundation of our past, through materials exploration of repurposed and found material.
The main structure is an ‘integrated marble’ — a mixture of Hydro-Stone gypsum cement with materials that were headed to landfill: sawdust, wood chips, acrylic offcuts and fibres, construction debris, and a pair of old Nike shoes. Inspired by the Reuse-A-Shoe program, an old Air Max shoe was ground down and used as a filler for this newer material. With the addition of these reused materials, we were able to offset the amount of newer material that was used and turn waste into art without it being visually apparent.
The Acrylic LED lit fins mimic the ridges and lines on the heel of the Air Max 2090 and Air Max 90. Cut through the centre of the fins is an air gap in the shape of the iconic Air Max bubble. The round shapes are an homage to the many ball sports Nike is essential to, and humanity's search for a future life on another planet. The stand is a hexagon, one of nature’s strongest and most efficient shapes. It’s made from reclaimed hardwood flooring similar to that found in most gyms; a nod to the history of sport.
Material List
New materials: Hydro-Stone, Nike Airmax 2090, 0% VOC Glue
Recycled/Reused materials: Oak flooring, Pine, Screws, Acrylic Plexiglass, Shredded Nike Airmax Tava, Construction Debris, Sawdust, Acrylic offcuts, LED Light
Video
Creative direction: Justin Pape & Nicole Charles
Editing, Soundtrack: Justin Pape
Info >
Nicole is a Canadian multidisciplinary artist. She uses various mediums to explore each project or series. Her work has been shown in North America including The Art Gallery of Ontario. She has worked with companies such as Nike, Indigo, Holt Renfrew and TedxToronto. Plus she has been featured by Saatchi Art, CBC and The Coveteur, among others.
Nicole received a BA in Visual Arts from Western University and a Diploma in Graphic Design from the Toronto Film School. She is currently based in Toronto, Canada.
Contact
Email nicoledcharles@gmail.com
Instagram @nicoledcharles
CV
Project 107 (gallery space)
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Info >
Nicole is a Canadian multidisciplinary artist. She uses various mediums to explore each project or series. Her work has been shown in North America including The Art Gallery of Ontario. She has worked with companies such as Nike, Indigo, Holt Renfrew and TedxToronto. Plus she has been featured by Saatchi Art, CBC and The Coveteur, among others.
Nicole received a BA in Visual Arts from Western University and a Diploma in Graphic Design from the Toronto Film School. She is currently based in Toronto, Canada.
Contact
Email nicoledcharles@gmail.com
Instagram @nicoledcharles
CV
Project 107 (gallery space)
Select Projects >