To celebrate Israel at 70, Sue Koletsky wanted to showcase someone who would illustrate Israel’s creativeness at The Temple-Tifereth Israel’s museum. After searching online, Koletsky set her sight on Israeli shoe designer Kobi Levi who will make his first Cleveland visit April 14-21.
“I wanted to highlight a creative, visual artist for Israel at 70,” said Koletsky, the museum director. “I was trying to think of someone that would show Israel’s energy and creativity and that they were fashion forward. ... I was totally fascinated and thrilled by (Levi’s) creativity.”
His “delightful” shoe designs are inspired from objects like a banana peel or playground slide, all of which can be seen during the opening of the exhibit “Step Into Art: Footwear Art by Kobi Levi” April 15 at The Temple in Beachwood. The exhibit runs until July 6.
Those interested in the footwear on display can try it on after scheduling an appointment. If a customer likes the fit, a pair of the same design can be purchased as well. Levi’s shoes range in price from $550 to more than $3,000.
Levi lives in Tel Aviv where his studio is and graduated from Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem in 2001. Since launching a blog in 2010, he’s garnered attention and his shoes have been seen on celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, Fergie and Lady Gaga, who wore a pair of his boots in her “Born this Way” music video.
After the opening of the exhibit, Levi will be returning to The Temple daily from 3 to 5 p.m. until April 20 to speak with patrons of the exhibit. On April 16, Levi will give an art talk, where he will talk about how he finds inspiration for his work and answer questions from attendees. In part of celebrating Israel at 70, Levi will be a guest at The Temple’s celebration at The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland, April 18.
Those interested in trying on a pair of shoes should make an appointment with Koletsky at skoletsky@tti.org or call 216-831-3233.
