DC Shoes Artist Projects™ Series - SSUR WR

DC introduces the limited edition SSUR WR—the third collaboration in the DC Artist Projects™ series with New York artist SSUR. “An Eye for an Eye Leaves the Whole World Blind,” SSUR’s ominous warning to the world, serves as the key design theme running throughout his third collaboration with DC since 2005.

SSUR’s shoe serves as creative outlet to express his perspective of a cautionary tale against war. The shoe features a variety of warfare camouflages, each inspired from different nations and regions around the world. The climax is revealed on the inside of the shoe: an image of a rising mushroom cloud printed on the insole. The final touch on the artist’s vision is the water resistant materials, a functional feature that comes thanks to DC’s technical footwear craftsmanship.

On his shoe inspiration, SSUR put forward a haunting message: “War of the first, second and third worlds… the increased isolation policies of world governments have created a dangerous climate of suspicion and veiled aggression. As populations surge and technology allows mankind to span thousand miles in milliseconds, the planet earth has literally and metaphorically become a small world after all. With nations stepping on each others toes for material gain, the doomsday clock inches closer to midnight, and the final curtain call for all humanity.”

DC and SSUR first teamed in 2005 to release his first Artist Projects™ shoe, and then followed up with his second project in 2007. For the projects, DC created an all-new shoe model specifically for SSUR’s design demands. Each of his shoe collaborations have been built on this platform, and include the classic SSUR saying – Pay Me! – printed across the lace holders.

The Russian born Ruslan Karablin, better known in the art/design world as “SSUR”, has been a constant in the NYC downtown art scene for more than 15 years. Growing up in Coney Island, NY, SSUR entered the New York scene as an outside artist with no formal training. Three main subjects; sex, politics and protest have heavily influenced the SSUR aesthetic.

DC’s Artist Projects™ series is a vehicle for DC to work with artists who influence street culture, fine arts, and popular design. Select artists are given creative control over the design, branding and packaging of a DC shoe. DC’s Artist Projects™ includes models designed by Shepard Fairey, Kaws, Dave Kinsey, Eric So, Phil Frost, Thomas Campbell, Arkitip/Evan Hecox, Andy Howell, Michael Leon, Methamphibian, Natas Kaupas, and Aaron Rose.

The SSUR WR will be available at the artist’s shop SSUR Plus, which is located at 7 Spring Street, New York City, and in specialty boutiques worldwide November 25, 2008. For images, information and exclusive interview content of SSUR’s vision of world conflict, visit www.dcshoes.com/ssur.