Nike Cortez / Forrest Gump Sculpture Created Using E-waste
Explore the inspiration and process behind this piece.
The Nike Cortez is one of the oldest Nike silhouettes, one of the most storied in film history, and one of the most quietly iconic shoes ever made. The Forrest Gump colorway — white with a red stripe — is so inseparable from the 1994 film that the two are essentially the same cultural object. Digital Cortez Gump takes that loaded silhouette and rebuilds it from circuit boards, data cables, wire, leather, and found materials, merging three converging histories: the birth of Nike, the mythology of Forrest Gump, and Gabriel's decade-long practice of transforming discarded electronics into sculpture.
The Cortez was actually the first shoe Nike ever sold — originally designed by Bill Bowerman for the 1972 Olympics, it literally started the company. Choosing it as a sculptural subject is a statement about origins and legacy that runs several layers deep.
The sculpture includes a custom display base and carrying case.
Materials: Circuit boards; data cables; wire; leather; upcycled components
Dimensions: 5.5"H × 4.25"W × 13"L — Men's 10.0 shoe size
Includes: Display base (15"W × 9.5"D) and carrying case (11"H × 17.5"W × 12"L)
Edition: Limited Edition 1 of 1 — signed with certificate of authenticity
Digital Cortez “Gump”
My Nike Cortez Forrest Gump Sculpture reinterprets one of the most recognizable sneakers in film and athletic history through sustainability and craftsmanship. Built from upcycled e-waste and found materials, this sculpture celebrates the enduring legacy of the Nike Cortez—immortalized by its cinematic connection to Forrest Gump.
Materials Used: Circuit Boards, Data Cables, Wire, Leather, and other upcycled materials.
Dimensions: 5 1/2 inches tall, 4 1/4 inches wide, and 13 inches long. Men's 10.0 shoe size
Base: 15 inches wide, and 9 1/2inches deep.
Case:11 inches tall, 17 1/2 inches wide, and 12 inches long.
Date Completed: 5-14-2017
