Since I have started to promote my project the One Shoe Diaries I have had a great response from people about it. They have ranged from people who have seen those solo shoes out there and we always curious to how it got there. As many of you know also, that JulieAnn Shapiro, an author in San Diego, even wrote a novel about the solo shoes out there. She and I have since kept in contact since meeting over the phone and are trying to help each other gain exposure.
Many people I have met have gotten what I call “One Shoe Fever”. They begin seeing them everywhere, them email me photos of them, they tell me where I can find one. It is this interaction that I love about this project. This project just seems to connect with people. SOmething about finding something unexpected, and never knowing when the next shoe with show itself that makes it so addictive. The mystery and intrigue of the story that is behind the discarded shoe is very compelling for me.
At a my exhibitions I love to watch the reaction the viewer’s have to the shoes printed in large format. Some shoes evoke laughter. A few have been described as creepy, as if maybe foul play was part of the shoe’s history. I even had one woman break down and cry after seeing shoe #2, as the boot in the photo reminded her of her grandfather who recently passed away. There is nothing more satisfying than to have people emotionally connect with his or hers art.
And of course I have people who love to point out they thought of the idea of cataloging lost shoes before I did. And they just may well have, just never did anything with the idea. It is easy to come up with ideas for art, but following through is the hard part. The part very few people have the time and dedication to do. Everyday life seems to get in the way of many great ideas. I have come across websites involving solo lost shoes, even people thinking of creating a book someday. Ever since my art school days I have always known that there are no original ideas. Everything has pretty much been thought of, just not executed :)
I met some ladies last night that have been obsessed with the one lost shoe phenomenon for some time now. I could tell they felt they were beat to the punch. They wanted to make sure they let me know, they thought of it first, or at least before me. But they did it in a very subtle and friendly manner so that’s cool with me. I just do not ever like people insinuating that I stole an idea from someone. But my project is not just about finding the shoes, it is about the journey behind discovering those shoes, and helping these lost shoes continue to try and tell their stories to people willing to slow down and take the time to analyze what they are seeing.