Sneaker Game meets Art #1: Futura 2000.

Date

18.10.22

Futura 2000, the artist who would revolutionize the concept of street art, the one who, together with his friends Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, would mark the transition from the street art of the 1970s to the art gallery art of the early 1980s.

The most iconic Sneakers designed by Futura.

New York, 1971.

Leonard Hilton McGurr is a teenager when he realizes that his calling is art. Born and raised in the Big Apple, he breathes in the ferment and expansion of graffiti art in the city, becoming fascinated by all the color that “dirties” the gray walls of his neighborhood and all the tags that cover New York’s IRT1 subway.

“Futura 2000”, Soho, 1982 © Martha Cooper

Leonard actually expresses something more figurative than the production of the New York graffiti writers, focused mainly on lettering: he begins to paint spirals, spaceships and aliens, which will become famous under the name “Pointman.” Thus was born the art of Futura 2000, the artist who would revolutionize the concept of street art, the one who, together with his friends Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, would mark the transition from the street art of the 1970s to the art gallery art of the early 1980s.

Futura 2000 – or simply Futura – in addition to having signed some of the most beautiful Be@rbricks ever made, he has collaborated with global brands such as Vans, Clarks, A Bathing Ape and Nike, Off-White marking a milestone chapter in the history of Sneakers Culture.

An aficionado of sneakers, he has stamped his “trademark” on some of the most coveted shoes on the market, some of which are on display at MoMa in NY.

Here is a selection of the most beautiful models created by Futura.

Nike Dunk High Pro SB ‘FLOM’

In 2009, Futura collaborated with Nike on a very rare pair of Dunk High Pro SB “FLOM,” an acronym for “For Love of Money” of only 24 in the world.

As suggested by the Dunk’s name, the all over graphics feature real banknotes from around the world, demonstrating that culture is the real currency on the streets of New York. The artist also wanted to pay homage to the graffiti art and bling bling culture scene of the 1990s.

The Dunk “FLOM” is considered one of the rarest sneakers in the world as only three pairs have been offered for sale: the remaining 21 were given to friends and family. It is currently estimated at between $50,000 and $60,000.

Futura x UNKLE X Nike Dunk High Pro SB

Dubbed D.U.K.L.E., the pink, white and black silhouette of this sneaker is a throwback to the aesthetic and music of the early 2000s. In creating the artwork, Futura drew inspiration from the cover of James Lavelle‘s band’s 1998 debut album “Psyence Fiction”; the upper is made of premium distressed leather and features a yellowish hue that brings out the artist’s signature marks: the Arom and the Pointman.

This masterpiece was released in 2004 in very few pieces, estimated value between $2,500.00 to $9,999.00.

Off-White™ x Futura x Nike Dunk Low

The Nike Dunk Low in collaboration with Futura and Off-White made their first appearance at OFF White’s runway show during Paris Fashion Week SS20, sparking a massive amount of interest and curiosity.

After the departure of dear Abloh, rumors about a hypothetical release date have been chasing each other for three years, until last month dating their release to September 30, 2022, but still nothing done. We’ll just have to wait for more, in the meantime we can appreciate the typically Off-White rendering style design and the Futura touch on the upper.

Futura x Nike Air Force 1 True Pack

In 2010, the graffiti legend designed a pack of four different Air Force 1 models for Nike: two high tops and two lows. The four versions completely break away from the New York artist’s graphic and illustrative approach, opting for a classic line and the use of unique colors such as white, black, gray and blue.

Additional details include the use of smooth leather and perforation, and the translucent sole with the inscription “True,” a reference to Futura‘s manual and tag style.

Futura x Nike Air Force 1 High Supreme

This particular Air Force 1 Hi has a predominantly white base composed of premium leather and perforated leather. The most noticeable features are the metallic silver Swoosh and zen gray Swoosh. Other features are the black logo on the tongue with the Pointman font and the Futura lettering on the translucent outsole. The outsole rubber with the embedded “Be True” script echoes the legendary Futura x Air Force 1 “True” pack from 2009.

Let us know what your favorite Futura release is.

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