What’s in the Box? ORIGINAL PAINTING

Description

ABOUT THE ART

The test of a true sneaker collector is being able to identify a pair of kicks just by looking at the box. In this painting, the sneakerhead’s skills are put to that test. The art features a Nike sneaker box positioned backwards in a plastic bag. Without the label that’s located on the opposite side of the box in sight, it proves difficult to determine, however, there are few clues. The first would be the specific shade of orange. Another clue is the way the top is attached to the box, which you can identify by noticing the curvature on the right side of the lid. Can you guess what store the sneakers were purchased from? The black stripes on the bag might give that away, although it will unlikely help determine the type of sneakers inside. If none of these clues help, you might have to check out @artofadamport on instagram for additional clues.

The title of the painting is a nod to the 1995 classic film SEVEN, a psychological crime thriller directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman & Gwyneth Paltrow. Fans of the film will understand the origin of the quote “What’s in the Box?” Although they never actual show what’s in the box in the movie, the implication was shocking. Fortunately for this painting, it’s just a pair of Nikes.

ABOUT THE NIKE BOX

In the ’70s, sneaker boxes were either white or blue. When Phil Knight debuted the Nike brand at the National Sporting Goods Association Show in Chicago in 1972, he sought packaging that would catch the eye of prospective buyers and industry insiders: “I’d wanted something that would stand out, that would pop on the shelves of sporting goods stores. So I’d asked Nippon Rubber for boxes of bright neon orange, figuring it was the boldest color in the rainbow.”