Computer Enhanced Footwear

Transforming shoes into interactive musical instruments.

Alexandria Murray-Leslie's Computer Enhanced Footwear (CEF) transforms shoes into interactive musical instruments. Developed in collaboration with Jeff Hong, ADM, Nanyang Technological University, Centre for Contemporary Art, Singapore, 2015 and Dr. Sam Ferguson, Creativity and Cognition Studios, The University of Technology, Sydney, kindly supported by The Australia Council for the Arts.

These innovative designs incorporate sensors and microcontrollers that respond to foot movements, enabling performers to generate sound and visuals through their steps. By reimagining the high-heeled shoe—a symbol often associated with femininity—she challenges traditional notions of gender and functionality in fashion, advocating for a more expressive and liberated use of the body in performance.

Notable Projects and Performances

FOOTwerk: A performance piece where dancers wear CEF to produce live soundscapes, emphasizing the role of the feet in musical expression.

The Liberation of the Feet: Presented at Ars Electronica, this project deconstructs the aesthetics of high heels, integrating machine learning and motion control to explore new audiovisual expressions.

Fashion Acoustics: An exploration into how fashion and technology intersect, creating garments that serve as both clothing and instruments.