Replicating a common street sight, Malachi Farrell has created a series of sculptures using shoes to symbolically ask whether we’re hanging by a thread in this recession. The Paris-based artist took inspiration for the display from the Abel Meeropol poem turned Billy Holiday song, “Strange Fruit,” about the 1930s lynching of two black men in Indiana. With lights, motors and speakers, the animatronic footwear are rigged to open their soles and play Peter Sellers’ version of “She Loves You,” which you can hear for yourself at Thrust Projects.

“Strange Fruit in the Street,” November 13 – January 3, Jane Kim / Thrust Project, 114 Bowery #301