발자취 혹은 지나온 과거의 역정을 비유적으로 이르는 말인 ‘족적’이 있듯이 신발에는 신발을 신던 누군가의 삶 또는 그 사람 자체가 담겨있다고 생각해서 타인과의 비언어적 소통을 위해 중고 제품을 구매했고, 그 구두를 신고 페인팅 작품을 밟아서 덜 마른 물감을 구두의 족적과 함께 퍼지게 함으로써 여러 벙식의 말로 타인과 소통할 수 있음을 나타냈다. 그리고 뱉어! 즉, “Spit!” 라는 문구와 프로필 사진의 뱉은 껌의 모습으로 감상자와 나 자신 스스로에게 말을 내뱉고 타인과 소통하는 데에 용기를 가지라는 의미를 담았다.
This work originated from the idea of ‘unspoken words that linger in the mouth.’ For the reason, I wanted to conceal the work once, rather than presenting it directly. By placing a QR code that connects to Instagram inside the shoe―only visible upon closer inspection—I aimed to make the act of viewing an intentional and participatory experience. The work can only be fully perceived through careful observation and an active attempt to find meaning. Through this process, the viewer may realize that engaging in dialogue with others requires courage, and that genuine communication begins with close observation of the other.
Just as footprints metaphorically represent traces of one’s journey through life, I viewed shoes as vessels containing the life—or even the identity—of their former wearer. To explore nonverbal communication with others, I used secondhand shoes and stepped on a painting while the paint was still wet, allowing the traces of the soles to blend with the colors. This act symbolizes the possibility of connecting with others through various forms of expression.
Finally, the phrase “Spit!”, paired with an image of chewed gum as the profile picture, encourages both myself and the audience to speak out—to release what remains unspoken—and to find the courage to communicate with others.