Nike Air Max 95: Anatomy of Air
Nike have teamed up with artists Andy Van Dinh and Katie Scott to create a series of artworks to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Nike Air Max 95.
The Nike Air Max 95, designed by Sergio Lozano, has infused pop culture for the past two decades with its unexpected construction and resulting aesthetic. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Nike have launched two new editions of the sneaker, the Nike Air Max 95 Ultra Jacquard and the women’s Nike Air Max 95 Ultra, commissioning Van Dinh and Scott to reconstruct the sneakers through a range of illustrations.
The Nike Air Max 95 Ultra Jacquard, designed by Ben Yu, re-imagines the original as a one piece upper, featuring the traditional jacquard weaving process fused with second generation Nike Flywire. Artist Van Dinh focused on the illustration of the Nike Air Max 95 Ultra Jacquard and Nike Air Max 95 OG styles. The Air Max 95 Ultra, on the other hand, forms a lightweight, modernised version of the original Nike Air Max 95 and is designed by Dylan Raasch. Scott was behind the illustration of this sneaker.
Like the original sneaker design, the artists based their illustrations on the theme of human anatomy leading to a range of extraordinary interpretations. The specific task was to reinterpret the sneaker as if it consisted of ‘flesh and blood’. In response Van Dinh wanted the viewer to comprehend the layers of the sneaker and the body-part references. “I […] wanted to demonstrate how Sergio Lozano dissected the human anatomy to find the textures and shapes of the shoe. Overall, I thought of it as a cohesive collage of body parts, with each layer overlapping and revealing what’s underneath.”
Scott who has a passion for the detail, symmetry and structure of anatomy felt in her right field as she commenced the project. “I am […] interested in the history of anatomical study and the twists and turns in our understanding of the body. I’m particularly drawn to the imaginative theories of antiquity, where the body was filled with bile and water and organs roamed freely around the torso. A lot of my anatomical work is based around this fantastical vision of early science.”
The Nike Air Max 95 Ultra Jacquard and women’s Nike Air Max 95 Ultra are available for purchase at Nike and at selected Nike Sportswear retailers.
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