Uribe's rain forest installation consists of animal, insect and plant sculptures that are produced solely from PUMA shoes, with every part of the shoe being used in the exhibition. Uribe began his creative process in July 2006 with 25,000 shoelaces and 1,500 shoes. Held together by wood and 22,000 metal screws, "Human Nature" measures about 4,000 feet and features various creatures and objects found in nature including the artist's favorite piece - a red tiger which jumps out of the grass. Personally we rate the PUMA rockin' primate!
Since the first show Uribe has added another 10,000 shoelaces and about another 200 pairs of shoes to the installation.
The use of PUMA sneakers in this series, has been surprising and bringing joy to viewers, who are seeing these everyday objects in a new and refreshing light.
"When I started working with shoes I could not avoid thinking where they came from and all the materials from nature that we use to comfort our life. So as a tribute to what nature gives us all, I got the idea of reconstructing nature from its own raw materials. I can not give my creations true life but I may give them the echo of life, which is as much as art can do," says Federico Uribe.
Federico Uribe, born in Columbia, lives and works in Miami, FL. His work has been exhibited in solo and group shows in galleries and museums in North America, South America and Europe.
The Chelsea Art Museum
556 West 22nd Street (at 11th Avenue)
New York NY 10011
Tel: 212.255.0719
http://www.chelseaartmuseum.org
Museum Hours:
Tues - Sat, noon to 6 pm, Thurs, noon to 8 pm
$6 general/$3 students-seniors/members free
