From 6,000-year-old shoes to Lady Gaga: What our shoes tell us about ourselves
A nailed sandal from Masada, high-heeled shoes for horsemen from Bukhara, and the Israeli design that reached the clip of one of the world's biggest pop singers. The "Shoe Stories" exhibition at the Israel Museum takes the whole family on a journey following the footsteps of humanity.
In collaboration with the Israel Museum.
They accompany us at every step, protecting our feet, but have long since become much more than a useful product. The shoes we choose to wear tell our historical, cultural, and personal story. A new exhibition at the Israel Museum, "Shoe Stories," presents a unique collection that moves along the timeline between antiquity and the present day.
"The exhibition features items made from a variety of materials and in different shapes, with the oldest dating back six thousand years, and the newest from yesterday morning," says Galit Benet Dahan, the department's chief curator.
The journey through the exhibition opens a fascinating window into the development of footwear throughout history. Some exhibits reveal a surprising similarity between the distant past and current fashion trends. "What did they wear in the ancient world? It really reminds one of today's 'barefoot' style. And here is a sandal whose preservation method is simply incredible, from the Cave of Letters in the Judean Desert," presents Orna Granot, the exhibition curator and director of the illustration library.
The exhibition also presents moving items from the young local history of the State of Israel. Among other things, children's shoes from the austerity period are displayed, carrying a touching human story.
"These are shoes that many children had in the years of the state's establishment," explains Granot. "When the children grew up, their toes came out of the shoe, and then they cut the shoe because there was no money to buy another pair. What is most surprising is that anyone who looks at them might think they are pathetic, but the children were very happy to grow."
The historical surprise of high heels
One of the most intriguing discoveries in the exhibition challenges the accepted perception regarding high heels. While today they are identified mainly with women's fashion, it turns out their historical origin is different.
"The big surprise for me, and for the visitors, was discovering that the first high-heeled shoes were actually for men," shares Galit Benet Dahan. "There is a pair here from Bukhara, which were used by horsemen. To stabilize the feet in the stirrup, the heel simply stopped them from sliding."
Alongside the historical collections, the exhibition gives a central place to contemporary Israeli design. One of the prominent participants is shoe designer Kobi Levi, whose avant-garde designs have received international acclaim.
"Shoes are simply a passion that cannot be taken out of me, a kind of obsession. I see everything through shoes. For many years I made them only for myself. At some point, I uploaded them online and received an email from someone asking for shoes for a Lady Gaga clip. Crazy exposure, and how fun that it reaches these places," says Levi.
Shoes also occupy a central place in the world of imagery, folklore, and literature. The exhibition weaves in references to classic stories we all grew up on — from Cinderella's glass slippers to the winged sandals of the god Hermes.
Much thought was put into planning the exhibition to make it accessible and inviting for the general public. It is accessible in three languages: Hebrew, Arabic, and English, and is adapted for people with disabilities.
"The exhibition is intended for the whole family, up to age 120," emphasizes Benet Dahan. "Shoes for me, first of all, is the word — we are 'locked' (ne'ulim) inside our shoes," concludes Orna Granot. "I personally prefer comfortable shoes, which are like a home that accepts you as you are. There are many beautiful and intriguing shoes here, but also a lot to do, play, and experience together — for both children and adults."
