#flying kicks

After I found these on the street, I couldn't help wondering why they were there. Soon enough, I discovered the term "shoefiti", derived from "graffiti", which connects this practice somehow to the field of urban art & street culture. 

It's intriguing for many and certainly interesting why these shoes end up on power lines. Curiously enough, the motivation is different in every place. People give it meaning according to their own context and need for expression. What is unusual for me is the name "shoefiti", because the real graffiti artists disapprove this type of association. For them, graffiti is a true art, that requires a lot more time and effort than simply tossing shoes on a wire. There are also people who spend time removing the shoes from power lines, since they believe it's degrading for a town to look like this. 

So, what's the meaning behind the action?

Well, it could signal the presence of bands, drug dealers or police being involved in the area. Another option is not one that I easily accept: that the shoes belong to victims of violence, who are beaten and their footwear remains on the wire as a cruel souvenir. In Ireland, it often means some teenager did it for the first time, in other places, former employees hang their shoes up after they quit, or students - as a sign of graduation. 

I don't know what is the meaning for this in Gent, but I know what I want to do with my sneakers before I leave. I find this an interesting form of expression, especially when used to redefine the way we create memories and the use of urban space.

Here's the movie too, if you're curious to find out more