March is all about Air Max, and rightly so. Name a more iconic sneaker line – we’ll wait. To celebrate its existence – to look back through the archives as well as way into the future – Nike launched House of Air in Melbourne this week.
House of Air consumes six storeys of one of the city’s best-loved buildings, Curtain House. Past the dumpling restaurants and outdoor bars of Tattersalls Lane hides the building's back entrance, aka House of Air's front door. (You'll spot the big Nike neon.)
Inside, the dimly lit service stairwell has been transformed into a six-level gallery of Air Max-inspired digital art. The work of artists Ta-ku and Sam Price, it’s an impressive sensory display. Screens pulse, stretch and bubble with abstract depictions of archival legends like the Nike x atmos ‘Animal’ pack as well as monsters in the making like the Air VaporMax 97 and the Air Max 270. It’s hypnotic.
House of Air opens to the public Saturday 10 March (18+ only) from 2pm to 6pm, then again on Saturday 17 and 24. Those playing along at home will know what comes next...
To get around Nike’s Air House revelries on Sunday 25 March, register here – be quick; places are limited.