Wherever your feet may take you… (give them socks) investigates the notion of feet as a symbol of the human condition, and how, through triumph and suffering our feet carry us through life. As our souls wear through our socks they are witness to the fragility of our humanity. Whereas once socks were darned and mended, they are now viewed as expendable. (give them socks) is an exploration of different paths and journeys taken, and a statement on the imprints we all leave behind.
The installation itself is completely comprised of recycled material as all the elements used in it are second hand. It is constructed mainly from hundreds of white cotton strips, interspersed with string, silk and wool, and also includes socks wooden pegs, twine and wooden curtain rings. The strips have been attached to the wooden curtain rings to ease its erection and dismantling. These strips are hung vertically from above to create a canopy under which the audience can walk. More of these strips are hung horizontally between waist and eye level to create a border which directs the shape of the installation. Upon these horizontal strips socks are hung through the use of wooden pegs. Each sock has a strip of cotton sewn onto it which hangs downwards, and upon which a story has been written. Twine is used to secure the wooden curtain rings to the support of the installation using square lashings.
The installation itself is completely comprised of recycled material as all the elements used in it are second hand. It is constructed mainly from hundreds of white cotton strips, interspersed with string, silk and wool, and also includes socks wooden pegs, twine and wooden curtain rings. The strips have been attached to the wooden curtain rings to ease its erection and dismantling. These strips are hung vertically from above to create a canopy under which the audience can walk. More of these strips are hung horizontally between waist and eye level to create a border which directs the shape of the installation. Upon these horizontal strips socks are hung through the use of wooden pegs. Each sock has a strip of cotton sewn onto it which hangs downwards, and upon which a story has been written. Twine is used to secure the wooden curtain rings to the support of the installation using square lashings.
The size of the installation aids towards its visual impact. The installation is mostly white and therefore has a peaceful and uplifting impact upon the audience. The addition of the coloured socks arouses curiosity leading the audience to inspect the socks and through this they discover that each sock holds a story. The audience can therefore choose to view the piece as an observer or to involve themselves with the art piece. It is a tactile piece which through its visual impact invites the audience to touch it, to run their fingers along it, to read the stories hanging upon it and to react to them. It also invites the audience to participate through writing and including their own stories and / or socks within the piece creating an organic, growing structure.
Wherever your feet make take you is more about touching, feeling and doing rather than just looking. It is an experience not an exhibition. It is a sock shaped heart wrapped up in a soul of pure awesome.
