Engineer-sculptor shows off surreal shoe collection
10/30/2009 | 04:59 PM
Salvador Dali would have had a field day at “Sapatusin," engineer-sculptor Ferdinand Cacnio’s latest exhibit, which opened last October 16 at the Whitebox Studio at the Cubao Expo (formerly Marikina Shoe Exchange) in Quezon City.
For the love of Marikina
A tribute to Marikina, the exhibit features surreal sculptures of shoes. “I wanted to remind people of what Marikina is really known for—shoes, not floods," Cacnio explained. He was referring to the onslaught of Tropical Storm Ondoy in late September, which devastated Marikina and other parts of the country.
“I have fond memories of [Marikina], as my parents used to bring us there to buy shoes when we were kids," Cacnio said. “Also, my wife loves shoes. It’s one of her indulgences that I myself fancy. I used ladies’ shoes to show what I think and see as beautiful, original, and meaningful. It also allows my playful and naughty side. May konting kapilyuhan."
Inspired construction
With his own fond shoe memories and his wife’s penchant for high heels as inspiration, Cacnio came up with a collection that also draws from his experience as a licensed civil engineer. As such, the elaborate “Sapatusin" pieces are all made from stainless steel, corten steel, wood, brass, and copper—all materials commonly used in construction. Cacnio also used welding, soldering, and carpentry to create the pieces.
Despite their composition, the Cacnio’s shoes invoke delicate elegance that invites viewers to look more closely. Each shoe made a statement that ranged from playful to nostalgic. Cacnio’s artistic X-factor—if it can be called that—lies in his ability to project visual softness and whimsy through the most ordinary things. Who would have thought shoes can be more than what they seem?
Mental kick
Indeed, “Sapatusin," lives up to its name. The term, “sapatusin," is actually a means of punishment. It’s when a person is reprimanded by being hit with a shoe. In Cacnio’s exhibit, it’s not punishment but, rather, epiphany that hits you when you check out his shoes. They’re never literal.
Sure, you can’t wear them, but you’ll get an insightful kick from them. That’s something Jimmy Choos or Manolo Blahniks can’t do. - Faye V.Ilogon, GMANews.TV
“Sapatusin" runs until October 30, 2009 at Cubao Expo at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City
For the love of Marikina
A tribute to Marikina, the exhibit features surreal sculptures of shoes. “I wanted to remind people of what Marikina is really known for—shoes, not floods," Cacnio explained. He was referring to the onslaught of Tropical Storm Ondoy in late September, which devastated Marikina and other parts of the country.
“I have fond memories of [Marikina], as my parents used to bring us there to buy shoes when we were kids," Cacnio said. “Also, my wife loves shoes. It’s one of her indulgences that I myself fancy. I used ladies’ shoes to show what I think and see as beautiful, original, and meaningful. It also allows my playful and naughty side. May konting kapilyuhan."
Inspired construction
With his own fond shoe memories and his wife’s penchant for high heels as inspiration, Cacnio came up with a collection that also draws from his experience as a licensed civil engineer. As such, the elaborate “Sapatusin" pieces are all made from stainless steel, corten steel, wood, brass, and copper—all materials commonly used in construction. Cacnio also used welding, soldering, and carpentry to create the pieces.
Despite their composition, the Cacnio’s shoes invoke delicate elegance that invites viewers to look more closely. Each shoe made a statement that ranged from playful to nostalgic. Cacnio’s artistic X-factor—if it can be called that—lies in his ability to project visual softness and whimsy through the most ordinary things. Who would have thought shoes can be more than what they seem?
Mental kick
Indeed, “Sapatusin," lives up to its name. The term, “sapatusin," is actually a means of punishment. It’s when a person is reprimanded by being hit with a shoe. In Cacnio’s exhibit, it’s not punishment but, rather, epiphany that hits you when you check out his shoes. They’re never literal.
Sure, you can’t wear them, but you’ll get an insightful kick from them. That’s something Jimmy Choos or Manolo Blahniks can’t do. - Faye V.Ilogon, GMANews.TV
“Sapatusin" runs until October 30, 2009 at Cubao Expo at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City
