Unlike many Nike Running products past and present, the Nike Free system of articulated sole and ultra breathable upper is truly a design born of art and technology, Ahead the release of its latest variant, the Nike Free Run+ 3, and the many iterations to be available later on this year, Nike China hosted a press/media event in Beijing earlier today. In addition to an exclusive preview of the new collection, a retrospective on the technology’s history, and a NIKEiD customization session with design consultants. Mark Miner, senior footwear designer for Nike Running, joined in the conversation about the new Nike Free Run+ 3 and its design process. As for referencing Nike Free’s origin from art, Nike asked five renowned contemporary artists in China to consort their personal interpretations of “freedom in motion” as art forms.

Artist and Works On Display:

Francois Trezin, “Foot Print” 2012

A foot print of history, love, life, human spirit, and more, Trezin

literally transferred a portion of his adopted city of Shanghai onto

paper by the utilizing the Nike Free sole.

Jin Ning Ning, “FREE” 2012

Instantly recognizable, Jin Ning Ning’s usage of pop art, vibrant

colors, and even comic books are all reflection of “unfettered

freedom” and “joyous reflection” of life itself.

Qing Tou Yi, “Earth Water Fire Wind Space” 2012

A meditation over the 5 essential elementals of the universe – earth,

water, fire, wind, and space, photographer Qing Tou Yi concluded his

work with “the sense of freedom” as the final contemplation for

viewers.

Xiao Huang, “Freely Run Together With Mother Nature” 2012

With usage of woodcut illustration and tribal theme, Xiao Huang

conveyed a surreal interpretation of African Art. In addition, the

work is visual reference to the continent as the “origin of humans”

Wei Huang, “Speed of Galaxy” 2012

The largest and most substantial work in the exhibition, the vibrant

colored figure in the triptych depicts the progression of mankind from

the Big Bang to an abstract expression of the future.