MIAMI ART SERIES Footprint of Your Heart Series
Alessandra Gold Creative Director
During Art Basel this year 2014, Alessandra Gold created the perfect “white canvas table”: 16 pairs of pure white Kruzin Wynwoods perfectly placed on top of a white table. Invitations were then sent out to known and unknown artists in Miami, during Art Basel week. What you will see in this catalogue is the result of 4 days of non-stop work where 10 incredible artists joined the Kruzin ‘white canvas table’ during the Basel events taking place at the Alessandra Gold Concept Store in the heart of Art Basel Miami in Wynwood. The artists came, shared experiences, inspired, and most importantly were free to create their own art, raw, original, immersed in a world of sneakers—they sketched, sprayed, painted and perfected their masterpieces. What united them all together as a collective was the desire to give back, as Kruzin this year 2015 launches its charity foundation: “The Footprint of Your Heart - TFYH”. The 16 masterpieces are each accompanied with a 12”x12” = one square foot painting that will be auctioned in a series of events worldwide with all profits going to the TFYH Kruzin Foundation, whose mission is to promote art and sponsor emerging artists from around the world.
Lord Sketch Lord Sketch was born and raised in Queens, New York, but currently lives in Miami, Florida. His art has been heavily influenced by his childhood, from five to twenty-four. So his art has a new school feel, mixed with deep concepts and cartoon character elements. Lord Sketch’s mission as an art head is to share the feeling he gets when he makes art with others who feel the same. Making art with a “purpose” gives Lord Sketch a sense of “artistic duty”, being part of the Kruzin collaboration for four days during Miami Art Basel was one of his greatest experiences.
“It felt like I was back in highschool, painting on some cool kicks. Kruzin sneakers are beautiful works of art.� - Lord Sketch
Sergio Lazo Sergio Lazo was born in 1970 in Venezuela, and has resided in South Florida since 1994. He studied Graphic Design in Caracas. Combining his interest in music and visual arts, he has developed a style all his own with the presence of music themes. The guitar is one of his sources of inspiration and to some, his trademark. He has been developing his artistic skills and talents since early childhood and considers himself a self-taught artist. His work can be found in both national and international private collections.
BIO
shoes
“It is an honor to have been able to collaborate with Kruzin footwear and be able to incorporate my artwork onto the sneakers.� - Sergio Lazo
TARZN THE SKILLED Tarzn is son to mother Lion Queen and son to Father Monkey King. At twenty-three years old one would be surprised how much talent this young man has. Growing up in difficult circumstances, the eldest of 16 children, he became a natural leader and teacher. He is constantly motivated by his peers to achieve change, acceptance and justice. Tarzn is a renaissance man in its truest form. He is a father, brother, son, artist, fighter, trainer, educator, scientist, illustrator, philosopher, author, model and actor. He believes that his soul purpose here on earth is to create a school for the truly gifted children of the world, to teach culture, art, athletics and respect. He is proud of his Hispanic, Latin and Native American roots and reflects it in all parts of his life. Tarzn makes from scratch all of his clothing and jewelry, including his legendary ancestral headpiece. His story is similar to many young men and women who grow up wanting a better life for their family, but for Tarzn he is taking control and making a change. With his strong and fierce northern attitude, Tarzn is ready to be King of the concrete jungle.
“If I can make waves with inspiring symbolic art in a time of segregation and injustice, then let this be my outlet. We are more than just our shoes, and Kruzin footwear gets this.” – Tarzn
Lisu Vega Lisu Vega has become a celebrated artist, fashion and textile designer who expresses her creativity on fabrics of all types, taking inspiration from music, art and culture. Vega has launched complete collections in the North American market, which have earned acclaim from the Fashion and Art industries. Among her most important runway appearances, Vega has showcased her collections at Miami International Fashion Week, Fashion’s Night Out, Cotton 24 Hours, and recently she has presented her collection “The Beast” in the New York’s Fashion Week 2014 in NYC. At the Miami Fashion Week 2014, Vega has won first prize in the Eastern Air Lines Flight Attendant Uniform Competition, thereby becoming the head Designer for Eastern Air Lines. Her work and dedication has been recognized with awards and editorials in publications such as Ocean Drive Magazine, Tinsel Tokyo Magazine, Miami Herald, as well as on major nationwide broadcast channels like Fashion TV, E Entertainment, Cosmopolitan TV, NBC News, Univision, Telemundo and CNN en Español. Her Clothing and Accessories lines are available nationwide and international, she is also represented as a designer in the Art Store of MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art of North Miami) and MACZUL (Museum of Contemporary Art Zulia-Venezuela).
“This work explores a collage of recycled elements to construct a piece of wearable art contributing to Kruzin’s intricate design.” - Lisu Vega
Gregory Dirr
Gregory Dirr received his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Ringling College of Art and Design in 2008. His art has been shown in over 200 galleries nationally and internationally as well as at the artist collective ‘Thought Coalition.’ Through collaborations, Gregory has been involved in a plethora of creative projects including acting as Art Director for the Sickle Cell Natural Wellness Group, and the American Sweatshop, photographer for Devon Alexis Photo, executive producer for Thought Coalition Recordings, curator to many art exhibitions, and construction and installation director for various public sculptures and murals.
“Sneakers are a great medium for bridging the gap between fine art and something of practical use in everyday life. The art designs were kept minimal to work with the shape and design of Kruzin shoes. Ambiguity, whimsy and subtlty.� -Gregory Dirr
Ben Pachter Ben Pachter was born in Boynton Beach and raised in West Boca Raton, FL, but don’t hold that against him... Creativity can be cultivated in wastelands. He is a multi-talented artist that has had several art exhibitions in the South Florida area. Ben is a co-founder and member of punk rock band ‘Montage,’ an affiliate of Thought Coalition, and proud supporter of Sickle Cell Natural Wellness Group Inc.
T.J. Brown T.J Brown was told that he would not live to see the age of fourteen and that he would be unable to have children. Living with sickle cell disease has truly shaped his life. Today he is defying the odds and has a happy, healthy two-year old son. He uses his message to inspire others to accomplish their goals no matter what difficulties they may face. T.J. spreads love and wisdom through poetry, art, music, collaborations and by participating in and hosting events. T.J. is a health and wellness public speaker as well as a health guide and founder of the Sickle Cell Natural Wellness Group Inc. a non-profit organization, founded in August of 2010. The mission of SCNWG is to support health advocacy and build global awareness for Sickle Cell Anemia. It’s dedicated to bettering the lives of those living with Sickle Cell Anemia and the Sickle Cell trait through education and healthy lifestyle choices.
Thought Coalition Thought Coalition was founded in Florida, in 2004. It can be described as people working collaboratively. The “Coalition� is an expanding community organized to motivate collaboration and intercommunication through ongoing music, visual art and independent projects.
“Kruzin support for the Arts and giving back has inspired us from Thought Coalition for a tripple shot of love... it is inspiring, visionaire and free-spirited.� -Gregory, T.J., and Ben
Un Born in Haiti, Un moved to Brooklyn, NY when he was nine. Always an art-lover, becoming an artist never seemed like a realistic option. Inspired by the creations and stories of Salvador Dali, Basquiat and more recently Banksy, Un set out to create his own style. The result was “UncuttArt” – using, what Un calls, “Strange little pieces” combined to form a big picture. Playing with negative space to create singular and iconic images. Art within art. Establishing himself in the art world by customizing footwear for the likes of Wyclef and other music industry giants, Un became one of the few artists to have a custom line of sneakers sold in major retail outlets worldwide. Now Un’s “Young MJ” and Steve Jobs wheat paste creations cover New York City, and was recently featured at Miami’s Art Basel, for his #SteveJobs Mural in Wynwood. His #YoungMJ paintings have even been ‘Instagrammed’ by celebs like Sarah Jessica Parker, Brooke Shields and many more.
“Positive and negative spaces create singluar and iconic images. Art within Art. Kruzin within Art.� - Un
Hector Prado
Pop Artist Hector Prado is renowned throughout the Americas and Caribbean as a Creative Director, Art Director, Graphic Designer and Multimedia Design Director. Prado grew as a creative in the top US and international advertising agencies, including Ogilvy & Mather, and Crispin Porter + Bogusky. In 2006, Prado launched his own experimental advertising agency, Firefly AD Next, securing the HBO Latin America campaign for Steven Spielberg’s series ‘The Pacific,’ among others such as ‘Rome’ and ‘Mandrake.’ Prado’s work has garnered national and international critical acclaim and awards in graphic design and for creative work in ad campaigns. He has been recognized at the Cannes Festival, Emmy Awards, Clio Awards and others. Today Hector Prado is back to his original love: painting. He is considered an emerging ‘Pop Artist to watch’ whose work is showcased in Europe, Australia, Latin America and the United States.
“Great things happen because a series of small things brought together. Thank you Kruzin for giving me the experience that “Art doesn’t have to be pretty. It has to be meaningful.” - Hector Prado
Penelope Fedor
Penelope Fedor was born in 1987 in Miami FL. She has loved art ever since she can remember. Being in the Army for eight and a half years, she has lived and worked in different climates, including in combat zones. While in the army, Fedor was involved in an explosion in Kandahar, Aghanistan, causing her to be honorably discharged in 2014. The war experience and early termination of an Army career drove Fedor to push her vision into the art world with a new focus, applying to the Fine Arts Degree at the Miami International University of Art & Design, Miami FL. Fedor is currently studying for her Master’s degree in Drawing at Florida Atlantic University and although she is attending school full-time, she has come up with her own line of “Fedor� tank tops printed with images of her own original art work and are currently being sold at the Alessandra Gold Concept Store in Miami, FL.
“Meeting other artists and seeing their style come to life on these astonishing Kruzin sneakers was truly a work of art in motion.� - Penelope Fedor
KRUZIN
ART SERIES
MIA-305
KRUZIN
KRUZIN
ART SERIES
MIA-305
KRUZIN
ART SERIES
ART SERIES
MIA-305
KRUZIN
ART SERIES
MIA-305
MIA-305
KRUZIN
ART SERIES
MIA-305
“We are changing this game.� -Alessandra Gold
Credits Photographer: Tommy Chung MUA: Chell Love Production, Art Direction and Styling: Alessandra Gold, shot at the Gold Studios, MIami FL - Dec 2014 Assistants: AGCS Team 2014 AGCS Graphic Design team: Claire Zimmerman, Elaina Pavan, Donald Jean Baptiste
All rights reserved to Kruzin Footwear and Alessandra Gold