For a long time, I have been intrigued by lonely lost shoes separated from their pair. How does anyone lose a single shoe? And what do the shoes think about this? That is the question that started the work Found Shoes.
The work explores how we can develop empathy for objects, which in turn fosters greater understanding and compassion for those around us. Through the practice of pausing and attentively listening to shoes, you engage in an act of compassion. By integrating audio into the shoes, I try to uncomver the hidden narratives of these objects that have been stripped of purpose.
The audio consist of diaries written from the perspective of the shoes. All of them have their own personality and perspective of the experience of being alone. The project explores grief and loss through a playful medium.
By creating the setting of a street, the shoes and audience both are in a place and space that feels alienating. By both being in this space, an even playing field is created. This makes it easier to connect to the objects.