The Balenciaga Runner Is Now a Literal Work of Art
Prove your dedication to Demna's cause by decorating yourself and your home in Balenciaga. The luxury house's Objects line just rolled out a new sculpture in the shape of the Balenciaga Runner sneaker, epitomizing hype homeware
Following the silver Track sneaker and last year's Laser Cube, the Runner Sculpture is Balenciaga's third sneaker-themed Object.
Releasing on Balenciaga's website and its flagship stores in Beijing, Beverly Hills, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Monaco, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo, only 20 $7,290 Runner Sculptures will ever be made.
Each was handmade to the extreme, singularly modeled, carved, fired, and painted by an artisan versed in age-old Italian maiolica glazing techniques.
An appreciable level of contrast in the vein of Duchamp's readymades: a humble sneaker, shaped from clay and scuffed by hand into a work of art.
The Laser Cube took similar liberties with the Balenciaga X-Pander, though it wasn't quite as limited.
Same for the $5,750 Track sneaker sculpture, which kicked off Balenciaga's Objects line with a suitably expensive work.
Makes you wonder which Balenciaga sneaker silhouette will be next — the Defender, a social media hit, seems a worthy shout (maybe make the whole shoe out of tire) or perhaps some Balenciaga Crocs are in order.
How about extending the distinction of Balenciaga Objects? Looking at you, Kim Kardashian tape and scratched iPhone.
Either way, Balenciaga's meme-y appeal makes for an appealingly straightforward twist on conventional home goods.
While other luxury houses busy themselves with elegant artworks or fancy tchotchkes, Balenciaga is simply turning its most covetable kicks into genuine collectibles.
