Sneakers take over Sejong Museum of Art in new exhibition

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Sneakers take over Sejong Museum of Art in new exhibition

Published: 13 Jun. 2023, 14:15 Updated: 13 Jun. 2023, 15:47

Reebok's first signature shoe for basketball player Shaquille O'Neal, released in 1993. The shoe's size is US 22, or 390 in Korea. [SHIN MIN-HEE]

Collecting and trading sneakers used to be considered a subculture in the past, but over the years it’s expanded into mainstream culture with a booming industry. So don’t judge the hobby until you’ve walked in their shoes. Or at least, in this case, seen them yourself.

From the entire collection of Air Jordans to Virgil Abloh’s iconic “The Ten” series, several hundred rare yet historically significant sneakers are currently visiting Korea.

Held at the Sejong Museum of Art inside the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno District, central Seoul, “Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street” is part of the Design Museum in London’s world tour exhibition.

It started in London in 2021 and since then has visited the Netherlands and Taiwan before making a stop in Korea. The Korean leg has been co-organized by the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, exhibition production company UNQP and the Design Museum.

Ligaya Salazar, curator of the "Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street" exhibition, currently on view at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. [SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS]

This show is an attempt to “enjoy the context of where sneaker culture came from,” Ligaya Salazar, curator of the exhibition, said last month.

“The sneakers I’ve worn since I was a child were always a way to express who I am,” Kim Hyun-seok, CEO of UNQP, said. “And recently, I remember when it was raining heavily and I saw a senior lady who looked like she was in her 80s at a crosswalk, and she was wearing Nike sneakers. These shoes are comfortable and it’s interesting how virtually everyone wears them. I really think this show will be able to resonate with anyone.”

The exhibition aims to be informative, providing a glossary and the anatomy of sneakers. It also acts like an archive to the past, present and future of the sneaker industry.

"Our Wall" consists of 364 unique sneakers lent by sneakerhead collectors, including from brands Nike, New Balance and Vans. [SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS]

An entire 6-meter-tall (19.6-feet) wall — called “Our Wall” — has arranged 364 unique sneakers lent by sneakerhead collectors, and includes brands Nike, New Balance and Vans.

Another section exclusively features special edition sneaker models made in collaboration with Korean brands, like singer G-Dragon’s Peaceminusone with Nike, or Ader Error with Converse.

Regarding the future of the sneaker industry, Salazar said that the final section of the exhibition has been dedicated to sustainability and circular design.

"Kwondo 1" shoes made in collaboration with Nike and Peaceminusone [SHIN MIN-HEE]

"Satan Shoes" made in collaboration with MSCHF and Lil Nas X [SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS]

“The most pressing design concerns for sneakers is making the materials and technology more sustainable,” she said. “The industry is so large that the impact on the world is extreme [...] Reworking the materials, recycling or keeping them cleaner for longer are big things that are happening across borders to make them last longer.”

“Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street” continues until Sept. 10. The Sejong Museum of Art is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are 20,000 won ($15) for adults.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]