July 3, 2025
LVN SNKRS
Lvnsnkrs is an artist from Munich, Germany and he runs the IG page @lvnsnkrs where he expresses his passion for sneakers in an artistic way. He’s known for deconstructing/reconstructing work on sneakers but stated that the main idea is not only to celebrate the shoes with the classic photos while wearing them, but to develop them as a basis and material either to a kind of art object or to misuse them and turn them into an everyday object.
How did you get the idea of “destroying sneakers”?
L: I might have to elaborate a bit more on that. My interest in sneakers was already awakened during my school days, when my classmates were not only wearing the classic Adidas Superstar, Adidas Trophy or Puma Everyday or Converse Chucks, but also in somewhat more unusual models such as the Reebok Pump. A highlight for me was when Adidas released the ZX 8000 Aqua and with the stark blue was a real eye-catcher to see on the streets. At that time, I already had the idea to individualize my own “boring” models with some creativity in order to wear something special. I never completely got away from this idea and in times when social media started to influence our everyday life, it was like an eye opener. I realized that I am not the only one who “customizes” his shoes or even uses them as “material” for artworks like pictures, objects or even masks.
Influencing this were artists like Freehand Profit, Brian Jungen, Signa Aviles or Richie Culver, just to name a few. I have seen their approaches and works as inspiration for my own ideas and am always fascinated by all the different colours, styles and materials and the possibilities they offer to create something new. An aspect of working with sneakers that’s never uninteresting also seems to be the sneaker fetish, from which you could certainly make a theme for yourself with all the facets of dominance, control and submission. Just searching for the keyword “sneaker mask” provides a little insight or the pictures of SNEAK.ART.EL, on whose profile, in addition to various illustrations of sneakers, it is also about the integration of sneakers into sexual coexistence. In the meantime, however, a very own customization variant seems to have developed further, where the focus is no longer on wearing. Just look at all the works consisting of Jordan 1 shoes that were presented as part of an exhibition at Galerie Askura.
These are not old beater kicks that you’re destroying, how do you justify financing your projects?
L: I get the question more often. For a long time I collected a lot, bought a lot of sneakers. Most of them via the ever-popular and well-known SNKRS app or the various raffle offers. If you participate often enough and with enough raffles, you actually get a pair every now and then.
I remember times when you could buy a pair of Jordans or Air Max in a normal store and then came a time when I realized that I will never be able to rock all these shoes anyway. If you then see pictures of the first OGs and how the sole crumbles one realizes that they are not made for eternity anyway. So why not use them for other purposes besides wearing them and give the sneakers a new perspective. Maybe it also helps to ask yourself this question with a different perspective. There are many things where the moment is in the foreground and not the preservation. How meaningful and expensive are fireworks? An expensive wine, champagne or food?
One of your highly admired pairs is a ‘Frankenstein’ Air Force which is labeled L and R but the other way around. How did you come up with the idea?
L: The Franckenstein Air Force was created from various leftovers from other projects. The idea was inspired by Helen Kirkum’s approach of reprocessing individual parts from old shoes and creating a new shoe from them. However, I also had to realize how difficult it is to process leather and plastic and how relevant the right equipment, i.e. sewing machine and leather tools are. The great thing about Instagram is the possibility to find contacts for mutual exchange.
About my challenges in processing leather, for example, I got into conversation with Sole & Sand, who has the appropriate sewing machines and processing techniques due to her profession and with whom I now make these small sneaker wallets together.
How do you proceed with this action art? From the idea to the finished photo or video?
L: Honestly, it varies a lot. There are ideas that I have very concrete in my head and then look for the right sneaker for it (example AM97). Then again, I see posts and videos where I’m curious to try it out as well (flowerpot idea) and there are the moments where I just let myself drift and try out different techniques and approaches to just partially destroying a shoe to then depict it again in an ordinary sneaker photo scene.
Do you work alone or also with others on ideas and creative projects?
L: Most things are actually created alone. But every now and then there is a collaboration with others to combine different approaches or skills. I already mentioned the collaboration with Sole & Sand for the keychains and sneaker wallets. With Miss Kata we transformed a Jordan 1 Mocha into a graffiti Jordan, from Nirali I got a very special, painted Nike with motifs from Greek mythology and the goddess Nike wielding sword and torch to destroy sneakers and with @waveytmj I did one other action art where we destroyed sneakers.
A: Which model would you or have you excluded from your deconstruct/reconstruct projects? In the sense of do nothing and leave it as is?
L: I would not categorically exclude any model, but it is of course also a question of cost, if a particularly hyped model ends up under the knife or in the paint bucket ;-) But you also have to say that just the hip and hyped sneakers provide an additional attention. An ‘ordinary’ Adidas Superstar or a current Jordan, which is often difficult to get, to take as a basis makes a big difference in the effect just yet. Not in every case the whole thing has to end in destruction. An example of this is the Jordan 1 Off-White, which I froze in a block of ice or the Jordan 1 Hyper or Jordan 4 Metallic on the beach.
The shoes have survived the whole thing undamaged, but from my point of view, very great pictures were taken. When I look around a bit on Instagram and Co, however, I also notice that there are probably no limits anymore. Even a Jordan 1 Dior or Nike Air Mag is now processed and thus provides just because of the value of the shoes for attention.
Do negative reactions ever affect you?
L: I see negative reactions less as an incentive and more as a form of criticism. In general, I am very surprised to receive significantly more positive comments and feedback than negative ones. In this respect, this question does not arise so strongly. What rather annoys me are comments like “you should have given it to me” and “why didn’t you donate it?”.
Are your creations 1 of 1 or limited editions? Do you usually keep, sell, or gift the finished product(s)?
L: Definitely 1 of 1s like one of my latest collaborative works - a chair reupholstery project I did with AB of ART’n’SHOES using the Jordan 1 Chicago Lost & Found. Once completed I take pics of them then post it. Either there is someone interested in it and I sell it otherwise I just place them as a decoration at home.
What do you wear on your feet when you’re not wearing sneakers?
L: To be honest, that rarely happens and I wear sneakers on almost all occasions. There are exceptions of course, for example skiing, diving or weddings.
What’s one of the more underground or less commercial sneakers you last bought? Can you put us on to something lesser known?
L: Let me think, it must have been the Autry Medalist Mid. One of the brands that is a bit under the radar but have very nice retro and vintage models that are pretty close to the original styles of the time.
In your opinion, which brands are unjustly under the radar?
L: On the one hand, there’s Autry, as already mentioned above. Brands like Puma and New Balance have reclaimed their place in the sneaker community - rightfully so in my opinion. And last year Saucony released a great retro model with its Spot-Bilt Sonic Low.
Saucony Spot - Bilt Sonic Low
Photo credit: @eightoneshop
Does your collection have a focus?
L: I’m already very swoosh-heavy, refined with brands like Reebok, Adidas, Converse, Autry, Vans, and Saucony. Most of it is retro and classic models, sprinkled with the odd special collab model. I’m not a fan of those futuristic new releases like the Air Max 720s, Ultraboosts or Yeezys.
Which retro shoe should make a comeback?
L: There are already retro versions of many models, so there aren’t many left that I’m waiting for to make a comeback. One shoe, however, would be the Reebok Pump SXT from 1990.
Reebok Pump SXT
Photo credit: @Deeboks
How do you store your collection?
L: Difficult topic, there are shoes everywhere and I’m currently discussing with my wife how we can bring more order into the shoe chaos. Some are open on shelves or in the closet, but most are in their boxes and the ones that are currently worn are right in the hallway ready to put on.
Are you meticulous? For example lacing, matching of the clothes, etc.
L: Not really, only the lacing should be done neatly and the colors from the shoe should be reflected in the clothing. I picked up this tip from my wife, for whom the colors always have to match.
How important are “real” sneaker stores to you compared to online retailers?
L: The time of the small ‘real sneaker stores’ is probably long gone and the stores of yesteryear now have little in common with the appearance of the manufacturers with their professional appearance (offline and online). Basically, I find it nicer and more personal to buy a shoe directly in the store.
Do you wear all your sneakers or are there some that are too good for the streets?
L: Yes, with me every pair is also worn, there are no exceptions. That’s what they’re there for, and they’re too good to crumble in the box!
Is there a favorite music you can recommend or a TV series or movie we should watch?
L: We were pretty excited about a series called Kaleidoscope on Netlix, a story about a bank robbery, similar to House of Money, but with a great extra: the nine episodes are mixed up colorfully for each viewer, so everyone gets a slightly different take on the story. Another great Netflix series to watch is called Ripley - a remake of the 1999 classic film ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ starring Matt Damon which is based on the novel of the same name.