Aaron Firestein has brought his art to Buenos Aires. You’re going to have to keep an eye out for it though, avoiding walking into walls or little old ladies and such like, because the art is on people’s feet.
Firestein, 24 years old and a political science graduate from California, came to Buenos Aires with a one-way ticket eight months ago, and has not looked back since. With him he has brought Bucketfeet, a concept engendered at university in the US, and is coming to fruition here in Argentina.
During his first year at the University of Oregon, he whimsically decided to purchase a white blank pair of Vans slip-ons, which he doodled on, “just for fun”. The unprecedented reaction to his self-designed footwear prompted the idea of possibly selling them. Aaron maintains that his move to Buenos Aires has been an entrepreneurial step in the right direction, given that he feels the city is “possibly one of the best markets” for Bucketfeet. His reason behind this is that Buenos Aires is ‘big’ on public art, and perhaps transferring that art to shoes is something that hasn’t been seen here, yet.
Aaron’s website showcases a variety of his designs, which are mostly intricate pattern motifs; and a cacophony of colour. When I ask as to whether there are certain confines to his artwork, he implies that he prefers to work with certain designs. “I have had requests for a portrait of Maradona, for example. I mean, I think I could do it, I just don’t think it would be very good!”
Seeing some of his elaborate doodles however, this seems hard to believe. He also notes how a lot of people are more interested in colours than design.
“You’re wearing a piece of art on your feet, that’s what’s really cool about it,” Aaron maintains. “No one else will have ever worn them before. And no same person will wear them again.” Although the idea of self designing shoes is not entirely novel, it is hard to say that Aaron’s designs aren’t unique. The markers he uses to draw the designs are ‘heavy duty’, so the shoes are entirely waterproof.
To date, Aaron has made around 70 to 80 pairs, each pair taking at least three hours to complete. With a huge drawer brimming with permanent markers, he draws the designs straight onto the shoe. In terms of cost, Aaron can buy the shoes for you, and add this to the labour cost. He says, however, buying your own shoes for him to then design is often easier given possible discrepancies in shoe sizes.
At our photo shoot, Aaron presents us with a mountain of his well worn creations, as well as a few new pairs, some even in the making. They are certainly something else: scuffed maps of the world, faded turquoise and yellow chequered masterpieces, bright purple intertwined with even brighter white laces. They are quirky and eye-catching, and definitely little pieces of art on your feet.
I say watch this space; Bucketfeet may soon be all over the streets of Buenos Aires.
An average pair of Bucketfeet shoes will cost you around $100-120. Contacting Aaron personally gives you a chance to talk about colour, size, price and design.
To check out some of Aaron’s designs for yourself or to invest in your own pair of shoes, visit www.bucketfeet.com