Idea Blog: Shoe and Ladder

Right now, i have been thinking of what means Kenya to me, and i have been thinking of physical things that remind me of differences between Kenya and the U.S. in reference to physical construction of things and objects. The first idea that came to my mind was a thought of a ladder, and its two separate construction types. In Kenya, we still used wooden ladders, and had nothing that is manufactured and processed by a machine, like what the U.S has. Here, ladders are made from metal frames, and are much more sturdy, trustworthy, and reliable, compared to what we had in Kenya.
These differences made me start thinking of other things that are unique to Kenya, that i miss, and remind me of what 'Kenya' is. One thing that is very different between the two cultures is the subject of shoes. Here in the United States people never not wear shoes. From wake to sleep, slippers, socks and shoes, sandals, work boots, etc always fit on feet. The difference in Kenya that even established wealth was if you had nice shoes, or shoes at all. In Kenya i used to never wear shoes and run around outside, inside, and everywhere just on my bare feet, which is a very interesting concept and difference.
How does this pertain to construction? Well, in Kenya, they had what was considered 'poor man's' shoes, called tire sandals. And yes, they were created from parts of used tires, with straps of rubber, and actual slabs of tire for the base. I have these shoes here with me, and it constantly reminds me of Kenya.
I think where i need to start heading is actually constructing something like this, physically, of something that reminds me of Kenya, and sets the U.S apart from Kenya. I will start constructing them, then purchasing the equivalent here in the U.S. and just stay in that environment for a while. From there, i might move onto objects that combine both elements into one, as if they were trying to co-exist with each other, like i am with these two identities.

I even found this photograph of sandals made out of ripped cloth and old plastic soda bottles. This really hits home, and i am looking forward to what i will come up with.


http://neatorama.cachefly.net/images/2006-07/water-bottle-sandal.jpg

http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/wp-content/uploads/Ross/ROSS_JUNE/Silangsandal_1.JPG

http://www.thriftyfun.com/images/articles27/tire_sandals300x187.jpg