Photo Credit: Shutterstock
MSCHF Production Studio, Inc. released a response to Nike’s lawsuit over Lil Nas X’s controversial “Satan Shoe.” Lil Nas X collaborated with MSCHF in creating the 666 pairs of modifiable Nike sneakers.
“We believe it is better to make art that participates directly in its subject matter. It is stronger to do a thing than to talk about a thing. MSCHF makes artworks that live directly in the systems they critique, instead of hiding inside white-walled galleries,” stated in MSCHF’s statement.
The shoes are modified Nike Air Max 97s designed with a pentagram pendant priced at $1,018. Detailed on the controversial shoes is “Luke 10:18,” which is a Bible verse referencing Satan’s fall from heaven. MSCHF also reported that there is a drop of blood from the MSCHF team inside the sole.
After Lil Nas X and MSCHF’s announcement on Monday, Nike was swift to refute the claim that they had any involvement with the shoe. Nike then filed a lawsuit for trademark infringement, false designation of origin, trademark dilution, and common law trademark against MSCHF. Nike requested that MSCHF to “permanently stop” distributing the “unauthorized” shoes. A judge granted Nike’s request to hold production and sales temporarily.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
MSCHF’s public statement confirmed that Nike was not a part of the creation of the “Satan Shoe.” The company compared the “Satan Shoe” to Nike’s “Jesus Shoe” that was released last year. The “Jesus Shoe” was Nike Air Max 97s with biblical imagery. MSCHF said the “Jesus Shoe” “conflates celebrity collaborations culture and brand worship with religious worship into the limited-edition line of art objects.
“MSCHF strongly believes in the freedom of expression, and nothing is more important than our ability, and the ability of other artists like us, to continue without work over the coming year,” MSCHF stated.
Lil Nas X commented via Twitter about the hold in sales and production of the shoe. “I haven’t been upset until today, I feel like it’s f*cked up they have so much power they can get shoes canceled. Freedom of expression gone out the window. But that’s gonna change soon,” Lil Nas X tweeted Thursday.
i haven’t been upset until today, i feel like it’s fucked up they have so much power they can get shoes cancelled. freedom of expression gone out the window. but that’s gonna change soon.
— nope ? (@LilNasX) April 1, 2021
