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Commentary Traveling fine art exhibit hits southern U.S. border By April Labine-Katko December 5, 2005 San Diego--Just when you thought that the world would collapse from the magnitude of its own self-absorption and greed, an unknown philanthropic New York-based artist creates something fantastical, spreading the sentiments of love and understanding with the sort of pizzazz that makes Jesus’ labors look sophomoric. Jesus, smart as he was, would never have considered this ingenious effort to ease the plight of our fellow man. The running shoe. Yes, you’ve probably heard of it before. But, we’re not talking about your garden-variety running shoe. The Brinco was designed for the rather neglected consumer group of illegal migrants, who need sensible footwear for their long hike to America.
(Illustration: Chris Katko) Perhaps, Judi Werthein had this very possibility in mind when she masterminded The Brinco. Just as a young Mother Theresa probably envisioned an unexceptional life, our humble heroine surely never anticipated the magnanimous contribution she would make to world peace when she arrived on U.S. soil, fresh from earning her Masters degree in architecture in her native Argentina. Two years in the making, The Brinco was commissioned by a cross-border art exhibition called inSite. It cost but a paltry 40 thousand dollars for this thought-provoking effort. And Werthein’s reward was a mere five thousand plus expenses and an abundance of fabulously colorful publicity. The Brinco comes equipped with a compass, flashlight, a pocket to stash money and insoles with a map of the border printed on them. The only thing these shoes are missing is a green card and the address to Werthein’s home, where surely she will be delighted to lodge and entertain migrants while they get back on their feet. So far there have only been about a thousand manufactured, which makes them all the more appealing to well-heeled art-lovers in the know. There is no price tag on Brincos if you’re an illegal alien present while Werthein’s engaging the media in titillating PR dialogue. But, if you’re an American citizen bored to tears with collecting the works of Chagall and Degas, $215 will get you a new showpiece for your next cocktail party. One such buyer said that she felt the shoes depicted a “very special problem” because though human beings have been migrating since the dawn of man, they weren’t always wearing running shoes. Another collector said that The Brinco represented “a reality that we don’t like to look at. That’s what the artist points out.” When accused of promoting illegal immigration, Werthein says it ain’t so. Rather, she’s making a statement about people’s feelings towards immigration. It’s impressive that one single pair of shoes can express the varying opinions of the American people. All this time, I had been under the misunderstanding that shoes are only capable of making a fashion statement, not a political one. The artist seems incapable of elaborating beyond the artistic statement defense, except to say that her shoes will make the trip safer for migrants who risk death in their efforts. Though, I have yet to hear of a migrant dying of foot blisters or shoe discomfort, I’m really no authority on the matter. And really, wouldn’t a sensible migrant have a flashlight and a compass handy to begin with? And with all the publicity she stirred up for her cause, I suspect the secret pocket isn’t such a secret anymore. And we’ve heard so much about the tools that accessorize the shoes, no one has even said if they’re comfortable. Werthein claims she was also making a statement when she chose to have the shoes produced in China at $17 a pair. But, artists need not explain their actions. Their art must speak for itself. So, Werthein employed low-paid workers in a foreign country instead of paying the low-paid workers in her own adopted country. Evidently all the other companies producing products in China are also making a statement. Up until now, I thought it was just greed. Almost everything is Made in China these days except non-Chinese U.S. citizens - they’re making those in Korea. Now, Werthein is on her way to becoming the first patron saint of footwear. She says she isn’t interested in earning money from the shoes. But, her recent notoriety can’t be bad for business, and what’s good for business is good for the bank statement. Maybe Nike will hire her to design a line. They can put grinning illegal aliens in their magazine ads. I smell a new trend in the air: alien-migrant chic. You heard it here first. ----------------- Born and raised in a Northern Ontario mining town, April's hockey career was cut short when it was evident that she could not skate. It has been downhill ever since. Suggested Vyuz reading... Village Voice plus New Times equals no alternative | By April Labine-Katko Mother knows best | By April Labine-Katko Land of dreams | By April Labine-Katko Delete the deleters | By April Labine-Katko At Balboa Park, security protects public from dogs being dogs | By April Labine-Katko A serial networker walks among us | By April Labine-Katko Confessions of an ex-troll | By April Labine-Katko |
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