Nike opens NYC exhibit featuring dancer David Hallberg

By

Emily Jensen

Published
Jun 1, 2017

Nike’s new exhibit in New York City will highlight some of the brand’s major campaigns throughout its history, as well as showcase new content, such as a film featuring ballet dancer David Hallberg.

 
Titled “Objects of Desire,” the Nike exhibition will be open until June 10 at 45 Grand Street in Soho. Dorian Grinspan, the 21-year-old founder of art magazine Out of Order, curated the space. Grinspan chose some of Nike’s biggest campaigns to showcase in the new space, including ads starring athletes like Serena Williams and Kevin Durant.
 
One of the exhibit’s most prominent works is the new film I, David, starring dancer David Hallberg. A collaboration between filmmaker Niclas Gillis and artist James Casebere, along with input from Grinspan, the film shows Hallberg dancing following a major injury that nearly ended his career. The 35-year-old is a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, and in 2011 became the first American to become a principal with the Bolshoi Ballet.

I, David was inspired by Nike’s “Objects of Desire” campaign shot by Thierry LeGoues in 2000. In it, Hallberg wears the Nike SU17 NikeLab ACG Poncho that gets submerged in water.
 
The sportswear company also recently released its fifth annual Be True collection in support of the LGBTQ community. Since 2012, the Be True products have raised $2.5 million for LGBTQ causes.