" AIR MENTHOL 10"- by ARI
release date: 2006
"Nike" and "Newport" (cigarettes) are 2 completely different corporations, one seen to be bad for your health, the other a harmless sportswear brand.
However, artist "Ari Saal Forman", after noticing the same use of imagery in their logos, became fasinated with the idea that maybe they are not so different. After all " they both are affecting families, taking food away from people, possibly destroying the quality of life.... making people happy. Giving people a momentary relief from the pressures of their day".
With this in mind Ari started work on his art project. From the ground up he manufactured 250 pairs of shoes,
a mashup of the 2 brands, and they hit the streets. Soon after their release in 2006 both Nike and Newport sued Ari in court and he can't talk about his art project anymore. The shoes are very rare and now sell for hundreds.
Below are some close ups of the shoe and part 1 of the documentary "Cease & Desist" the film about the project.
-Leo Stiles-
release date: 2006
"Nike" and "Newport" (cigarettes) are 2 completely different corporations, one seen to be bad for your health, the other a harmless sportswear brand.
However, artist "Ari Saal Forman", after noticing the same use of imagery in their logos, became fasinated with the idea that maybe they are not so different. After all " they both are affecting families, taking food away from people, possibly destroying the quality of life.... making people happy. Giving people a momentary relief from the pressures of their day".
With this in mind Ari started work on his art project. From the ground up he manufactured 250 pairs of shoes,
a mashup of the 2 brands, and they hit the streets. Soon after their release in 2006 both Nike and Newport sued Ari in court and he can't talk about his art project anymore. The shoes are very rare and now sell for hundreds.
Below are some close ups of the shoe and part 1 of the documentary "Cease & Desist" the film about the project.
-Leo Stiles-