OSD Seeks to Pay Tribute to Port Authority Bus Terminal’s Role in a Global Phenomenon
(New York City, NY – May 13th, 2019) OSD x A Thousand Words Present: From The Feet Up
(Sneakers, Hip-Hop & New York City) This exhibit curated by Sean Williams and Dee Wells of (OSD /
SOLEcial Studies) along with James “Koe” Rodriquez of the brand A Thousand Words. The exhibit will
give people a brief look at sneaker culture’s roots from it’s early beginnings and evolution to the
multi-billion dollar global industry juggernaut it is today.
The exhibit will feature important sneakers, apparel, and accessories commemorating some of New York
City’s most iconic Hip-Hop stars, places, and even radio stations, along with memorable supporting
images from world renowned photographers who were there when it all went down.
“This exhibit was created to educate and celebrate Hip-Hop culture’s inseparable marriage to sneakers
from the very beginning in the 1970’s. There have been a lot of false narratives about the popularity of the
sneaker industry being promoted that LEAVE OUT Hip-Hop’s crucial role in that. This exhibit is a way to
appreciate, educate and combat the misinformation. The Port Authority Bus Terminal is a part of that
history” says Sean Williams of Obsessive Sneaker Disorder. Sean is currently a Rankin Scholar at Drexel
University in Philadelphia where he teaches the SOLEcial Studies sneaker industry education program.
“It started here (in New York City) first and was showcased around the world by many of us who traveled
through these very same Port Authority bus terminal halls.” he added.
The exhibit will have residency at the Port Authority Bus Terminal Art Gallery Space near the 9th Avenue
& 41st Street entrances from Monday, June 3rd 2019 to Wednesday, July 31st, 2019. The exhibit will
be open to the public for viewing 24 hours a day during that time for an estimated 1,300 plus continuous
hours. After that it will be gone forever, but will exist through social media promotion, visitor pictures,
press recaps, and a mini doc series that will go by the same name.
This will be the first time an exhibition showcasing sneakers has been featured at a major transportation
hub anywhere in the United States. The Port Authority Bus Terminal will turn 70 years old in 2020 and
currently averages foot traffic of about 275,000 people per day.
For more more information, contact: Sean Williams OSD via email at paperchasr@gmail.com
