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Warning: damaged snkrs ahead. ✂️

Rudy Lim deconstructs the most coveted kicks

The universes of visual art and sneakers interact on the reg, but South Korean-based artist Rudy Lim sets his work apart from the norm. Instead of custom kicks or conceptual designs, Lim has something else in mind: deconstruction.

Without any previous artistic background, Rudy came upon the curiosity to understand how his Nike Air More Uptempo kicks were built. Shortly into his deconstruction interest, he realized each pair he approached had a totally unique build ― and that an audience interested in discovering the details existed.

Lim's intentions aren't destruction, but rather reinvention ― breaking down the very definition and physical build of limited edition kicks, he manages to completely transform them in a new context that still carries meaning. The coveted sneakers he approaches are reimagined as three-dimensional sculptures that appear to float midair in an explosive illusion, putting the intricacies and craftsmanship behind the industry's most popular pairs on center stage.

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Of course, his work receives plenty of criticism from the sneaker community ― which is to be expected when you tear apart highly sought-after limited edition pairs, like the Air Max 1/97 famously designed by Sean Wotherspoon or the rare Nike MAG that resells for up to $10k (which Lim himself admitted he was nervous to dissect). Despite that, his creativity garners plenty of praise from members of the culture.

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INDUSTRY, co-founder and executive creative director showed support for the controversial process: “I believe in the power of creativity to inspire new perspectives. Through deconstruction, Rudy inspired our team to construct a new point of view.” Can't argue with that.

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Get your fill of non-disassembled kicks here.

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