I started just by asking frinds and family for their old, worn, women's shoes... So the first 20 pairs came... from a "size 0" baby's booties to beautiful old worn sandals and walking boots. Street shoes, high heels, old fashioned, sport and running shoes. As I made the design of the Labyrinth I guessed I will need about 150, where to go? Value Village, no luck. They sell the left ovrs to be sent toafrica and Latin America. wac. I felt nausea... the "garbage old shoes that noone wants?" I asked the person in charge. Yes. After explaining that I will be doing an Installation to Walk a Labyrinth alongside waling women, displaced women, violence against women... no way. I sould not buy their rejects for my show. I left with this feeling of pain, why do we have to get the garbage from them? I felt SO Latinamerican...
When I tlod the story to a friend, she said, try St. Vincent de Paul. They have a different approch. Try it. So I went with the boxing gloves in my pocket, just in case. And I met a compassionate woman, the Director. She understood my art statement with the old worn shoes, no, I will give them to you, don't have to pay me anything. we are working for the same cause, from different ends. Will call you when we have some for you. And I left feeling light and that my message does go through, sometimes. Soon I got a call, -come pick up a bag of shoes. Yes! they are perfect! Worn, old fashined, all stiles, all kinds. So far I have received four bags full of the precious gift for the Installation, so we wil be able to walk alongside displaced women, poor walking women from many places. I have made a selection and so far we have 100.
Then what about baefoot walking? I've been wih many of them....
