Last week I wrote about Moon Life, a project involving artists, architects and designers and focusing on creating solutions for humans living in extreme conditions.
In that post I promised to write further about one of the products linked with it, United Nude’s flat-packed carbon fibre high-heel shoe with interchangeable uppers designed for indoor use in space.
Today I’m republishing a brief interview with United Nude’s Creative Director Rem D Koolhaas I did for Zoot Magazine.
Elegant yet sexy, the shoes created for this project by United Nude are characterised by a minimised volume.
The shoes can be customised by the wearer, so they can be updated over time, a rather convenient feature explains Rem D Koolhaas since the supply of shoes in space will be limited.
How did you get involved in this project?
Rem D Koolhaas: We were asked to join it by Alicia Framis personally. I didn’t know her before, but we discovered that she is a fan of United Nude’s footwear!
When did you first hear about the Moon Life project and what fascinated you about it?
Rem D Koolhaas: When we met Alicia last year in Shanghai and she explained us the concept. I thought she had a very nice line-up of people already joining her project, but, more than that, I was fascinated by her own work, especially her “Lost Astronaut” performance-installation.
Did you find it challenging developing the flat-packed shoe?
Rem D Koolhaas: As a matter of fact we are still developing the product, since the one we have now is not final. Figuring out an unusual construction like this one is not easy, but we always enjoy challenges like this!
What inspired its design?
Rem D Koolhaas: I guess many other flat-pack objects, but also toys that you can assemble by yourself.
Is there a specific lunar mission or space station that inspired it or inspired its construction?
Rem D Koolhaas: Not necessarily, although I really like stuff with a technical look. In that sense this design goes well with space stations, satellites and rocket launching towers.
Who is your favourite astronaut?
Rem D Koolhaas: Apart from Alicia Framis’ “Lost Astronaut”, Ham the chimpanzee that went to space and back in 1961.
And your favourite film about space travelling?
Rem D Koolhaas: Space Chimps was not bad, my 3-year-old son Mano loves it!
In your opinion, what will the future be like? Will we be living in space?
Rem D Koolhaas: I doubt that, but who knows. It is difficult to get stuff out there as you need so much fuel. That’s essentially the main reason why we made the shoe light and small in the first place.
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