Artist Shoetree Opens Sneaker Planter Pop-Up in Harajuku's Ciaopanic Boutique

Japanese artist Kosuke Sugimoto, known by his moniker Shoetree, has opened his latest “Justification of Deterioration” pop-up at Harajuku’s Ciaopanic boutique. Known for using popular sneakers as pots for plants, the creator is showcasing a number of prominent Nikes and Jordans that have been repurposed for botanical uses.

Sugimoto was inspired by the moss and vines that tend to overtake old and ruined buildings, leading him to try and mimic a similar appearance through shoes like the Air Max 95, Air Jordan 5 Retro and the Air More Uptempo. Through a three-year “deterioration” process called Hydrolysis, the plants fuse together with the sneakers as a result of what is described as “bad storage conditions” — a process that would typically take five years under more normal conditions.

“I aim to create mystery, and a harmony as though everything were one, while also maintaining the realism in my works,” explained Shoetree.

The “Justification of Deterioration” pop-up is running from now until Monday, July 22 at Ciaopanic Harajuku.

For more art news, read about Yayoi Kusama’s upcoming installation in the New York Botanical Garden.

SHOETREE for CIAOPANIC Pop-Up
CIAOPANIC baseyard
Shibuya Ward, Tokyo 6-12-22
Akita Building 1F