Are You Ready for Shoe Art Istanbul 2008?

Saturday, May 24 2008 @ 09:51 AM Central Daylight Time

After the vivid sculptures of cows last year and designed tulip sculptures this spring, shoe sculptures will be gracing the streets of Istanbul for the first time. Istanbul is set to host another gigantic art project. Huge shoe sculptures, designed by artists will grace the streets of Istanbul in the fall and they will be placed in the most bustling points of the city. They will be auctioned and the income generated will be donated

The Cow Parade, held in 54 different cities, was held in Istanbul in August last year. Profits from the closing auction were donated to various nongovernmental organizations. The mediating firm that brought Cow Parade to Istanbul - Cinema Marketing Advertisement Industry and Trade A.Ş. (SİNPA) is now responsible for organizing Shoe Art Istanbul. "Shoe Art Istanbul 2008" will start on Sept. 1. One of the associates at SİNPA, Ayşe Zorlu said Hotiç, a Turkish shoe brand, is among the main sponsors of the event. “The event is to become one of the most important open-air exhibitions in the world. Art, creativity, entertainment and action will surround Istanbul with this display.”

The motto of the open-air exhibition is “Sanat Ayaklanıyor” (Art Is a Riot). Some 150 huge designed shoes will be placed in the most bustling and distinguished points of the city. There are a few different shoe models for artists to design: High heels, sneakers and motorbike rider's shoes. Zorlu believes that with this extraordinary exhibition the sponsors of the project will find the chance to promote their brands. Painters Ertugrul Ates and Ismail Acar, designer Derin Sarıyer, fashion designers Cemil Ipekci, Idil Tarzi, Bahar Korcan, Ozlem Suer, Ayse Ece Ege, Arzu Kaprol and Banu Bora are among those who will take part in the festival. They will vitalize the huge shoe sculptures according to their own ideas and perspective.

“Shoe Art is a project that promotes Turkish shoe brands and supports them. Besides its supportive mission, it implements social responsibility,” said Zorlu. The income from the auction will be donated to The Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats, or TEMA, and the Turkish Heart Foundation.