Footloose in Paradise #8 Unit 812/1000 ©2000 Wes Bogner
One day while beach combing along the coast near South Point, I came upon a child's rubber slipper stuck in the rocks along the shoreline. I had driven down a 4 wheel road for 30 minutes and hiked for another 20 minuets to this remote bay and this little slipper had gotten there on the current before me. No legs, no wheels, no even eyes and yet here it was...
F.L.I.P. #8 Units pictured,#808, #810. #878
And that is how this little creature came into this world. Adding eyes, color and wheels were natural additions. The incompatibility of the parts fit for all its ridiculousness. The design worked in a cartoon way which transcended verbal description. Laughter or at least a smile is usually the first response of most people. How to order..
F.L.I.P. #8- Unit #810 Wes Bogner
At first I believed I had created the perfect island toy. Souvenir of the Year I was thinking. It didn't take long to learn that it was a doomed children's toy. Capturing their attention span for about 1 minute, it was a one time fascination, rarely repeated. Realizing my mistake I refocused my target audience.
F.L.I.P. #8 - Unit #808 Wes Bogner
Protective parents and grandparents fear it's dangerous 'footloose' aspects, (Oh! My child would skate out the door into traffic, down the stairs, etc. i.e. brain damage! Liabilities! Sue job! Physical therapy! Yo, Lani put that down!. Kimo, hands off, get over here!)
However their unique charm landed them on television and hundreds of units have sold in high-end specialty shops. Of the 1000 units produced, only about 100 remain on hand. The weight of a curious child attempting to sk-8, cancels all forward motion.
What do adults do with it? It does float and can be used as a playful massage tool. I think they have a light-hearted energy which relieves office stress and mental boredom. Can also be a paperweight or conversation starter. Made using a real 6" rubber slipper dipped in colored liquid rubber with eyes and wooden wheels attached. Just a note, Left units roll right and Right orientated units roll left.
F.L.I.P. #8 is available for purchase exclusively from the artist while supplies last. Each unit is signed and individually numbered. US $17.50
Allow 3 weeks for USPS delivery. Include a Ship To address. Mahalo nui loa!
