'Shoes Tree' draws mixed reactions

'Shoes Tree,' a giant art installation made of 30,000 shoes, is displayed on Seoullo 7017, Seoul's soon-to-open pedestrian-friendly park, near Seoul Station, Monday. / Yonhap

By You Soo-sun

"Shoes Tree," a giant art installation made of 30,000 worn-out shoes displayed in front of Seoul Station, stands at the center of controversy, drawing various responses from citizens.

Some praise it as a creative effort as well as for the environmental significance it carries. Others argue it is unpleasant to the eye and the nose, taking up too much space.

The 17-meter-tall and 100-meter-long installation, designed by environmental artist Hwang Ji-hae, is made up of countless used shoes, the source of the controversy.

"Very impressive," remarked Peter Ford, 32, a journalist from London roaming around the city before catching his connecting flight. "It's like a huge waterfall of old shoes. The trees planted among the shoes also seem to symbolize new life coming out from the old."

Another passerby appreciated the large scale of the installation. "It's a new and bold effort, especially for a Korean artist to make something so big," said Kim Ji-kyung, 43, a sound architect.

Cha Hyun-jung, 23, who was taking pictures of Shoes Tree just outside of the subway station, said, "I think it's wonderful. Just the fact it's made up of old shoes makes it cool."

Some others expressed discomfort at the sight, including Baek Seung-cheol, 28, who studied architecture. "I graduated from an art school, but it's unsettling. It's somewhat grotesque," Baek said.

Another artist, 67, also feels the artist has gone too far. "I'm very disappointed. What a waste of money. It looks worse than what I saw on the news," she remarked, staring at the installation and shaking her head sideways in disapproval.

The city reportedly spent over 100 million won ($89,246) on the project.

"I get the message, but I work here and it smells. I don't think it's good for the environment either," said Kim Bo-kyung, 39, as she walked into a building next to the work.

In response to mounting criticism, the artist held a press briefing at City Hall, Wednesday.

While she is "grateful for all the attention," the piece "is still in the process of being installed." She asked for more patience and wished people would refrain from making judgments until her work is finished.

"Old shoes are there to remind us of all we are spending and what we're missing ― nature, and the things we throw away."

The installation will be exhibited at the opening of Seoullo 7017, an old overpass-turned-park, slated for Saturday, and is to be taken down eight days after. The artist hopes to join the city's efforts to renovate the old seemingly useless roadway, by similarly creating an art piece by using shoes that were set for disposal.

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