Bound To Move

Maya Kaplan

The shoes presented in this project are an innovative accessory for acrobatic performers, designed and made using both cutting-edge technology and traditional handcrafting techniques.
Made to fit the wearer perfectly with anatomical casting and 3D scanning technologies, the shoes consist of two layers: a hard, 3D-printed outer shell and a leather inlay that protects the foot.
Aside from its usefulness, the duality of soft and hard raises questions about freedom and identity. The restriction and deformation of the feet symbolize submission and capitulation, contrasting strongly with the freedom of movement and the desire for self-definition articulated by the shoes’ function.