Loading
ShoeFiti
4 May 2011
One recent addition to the modern vocabulary is the word 'shoefiti'. The word is derived from a combination of 'shoe' and 'graffiti'. So, what is shoefiti and where did it originate from?
Shoefiti has been described as one of the more inexplicable forms of cultural expression. It is simply one or more pairs of shoes tied together by their laces and dangling from an overhead wire.
The reasons behind this strange pastime, artform, obsession, or whatever it should be described as, vary considerable. Popular theories for the reasons for shoefiti are:-
As a memorial to someone who has died near the site
Hazing, such as throwing a freshman's shoes over the line.
A celebration, for example a graduation
A simple (often drunken) prank
There are other, more sinister theories for shoefiti. Some people believe they are used to signify a place to buy drugs, or shoes are hung by gang members to mark a territory or commemorate a gangland murder.
The actual term 'shoefiti' was believed to be coined by Ed Kohler in 2005. There is also a site dedicated to it, where you can post your pictures of shoes dangling. The website shows that this is becoming a global pastime, with submissions sent in from as far afield as Melbourne, Madrid, Germany and Finland. There's even a band from Madrid who have adopted the name for their group.
The press are also beginning to cover sightings in more detail which will undoubtedly mean a rise in the number of shoes that end their life attached to power lines.
Obviously, throwing anything at powerlines can be potentially fatal. The exponents of shoefiti also aim that the laces will loop round the lines meaning there is no chance of the shoes being dislodged in the wind, and in all probability they will be there for many, many years to come.
As well as power lines, shoes are also often seen dangling from trees, which is another variation of shoefiti.
So, a strange pastime, but something that is likely to get more commonplace as it is fueled by further media coverage. However, for more eco friendly shoes, you may want to consider donating them to charity where they can be reused, rather that leaving your manky old footwear hanging up for all to see.
Shoefiti has been described as one of the more inexplicable forms of cultural expression. It is simply one or more pairs of shoes tied together by their laces and dangling from an overhead wire.
The reasons behind this strange pastime, artform, obsession, or whatever it should be described as, vary considerable. Popular theories for the reasons for shoefiti are:-
As a memorial to someone who has died near the site
Hazing, such as throwing a freshman's shoes over the line.
A celebration, for example a graduation
A simple (often drunken) prank
There are other, more sinister theories for shoefiti. Some people believe they are used to signify a place to buy drugs, or shoes are hung by gang members to mark a territory or commemorate a gangland murder.
The actual term 'shoefiti' was believed to be coined by Ed Kohler in 2005. There is also a site dedicated to it, where you can post your pictures of shoes dangling. The website shows that this is becoming a global pastime, with submissions sent in from as far afield as Melbourne, Madrid, Germany and Finland. There's even a band from Madrid who have adopted the name for their group.
The press are also beginning to cover sightings in more detail which will undoubtedly mean a rise in the number of shoes that end their life attached to power lines.
Obviously, throwing anything at powerlines can be potentially fatal. The exponents of shoefiti also aim that the laces will loop round the lines meaning there is no chance of the shoes being dislodged in the wind, and in all probability they will be there for many, many years to come.
As well as power lines, shoes are also often seen dangling from trees, which is another variation of shoefiti.
So, a strange pastime, but something that is likely to get more commonplace as it is fueled by further media coverage. However, for more eco friendly shoes, you may want to consider donating them to charity where they can be reused, rather that leaving your manky old footwear hanging up for all to see.