Brazilian sculptor and artist Ernesto Neto has created the Flyknit Collective installation for Nike as part of the sportswear giant's launch of their new Flyknit footwear technology.

Always big on collaborations, Nike operates under the philosophy that when two designers collaborate, the final product is different than either of them would have created independently. Neto's previous work has involved transforming materials into biomorphic sculptures. Nike saw this as a perfect fit for the new Flyknit technology, which allows the upper part of the shoe to be constructed entirely out of engineered yarns, eliminating waste and resulting in a shoe that fits like a sock. Ben Shaffer, studio director for the Nike Innovation Kitchen, describes the Flyknit Collective as "a series of events focused around different elements of the Flyknit design; performance, lightweight, formfitting and sustainability." The Flyknit Racer will be worn at this year's Olympics by marathon racers from the United States, Kenya, Russia, and the U.K.

So far as the installation goes, the 'do not touch' does not apply. Those who visit the Flyknit installation at the 1948 space in London are welcome to take their shoes off and dive on in. Backflips are encouraged. 

To find out more about the Nike Flyknit Racers go here.