When adidas approached earth artist David Popa to collaborate on the launch of their Adizero Desert Runner shoe, the task seemed almost impossible: create an anamorphic art piece in the heart of the UAE desert. Known for his large-scale artworks in nature, Popa was immediately intrigued by the opportunity to merge art, sustainability, and the spirit of adventure.
The result? A stunning 100-meter-wide artwork in Sharjah’s Al Madam area that celebrates both the desert’s beauty and the resilient energy of runners. The piece marks the launch of the Adizero Desert Runner, a limited-edition sneaker designed with the desert’s rugged essence and the shimmering hues of an oasis in mind.
“adidas challenged me to bring the Adizero Desert Runner shoe to life in the dunes of the UAE,” Popa, known for transforming natural landscapes into breathtaking works of art, explains. “The idea initially felt almost impossible, but I was drawn to the opportunity to push creative boundaries.” For Popa, this collaboration was also personal—adidas has been part of his life since high school, when he lived in his Sambas.
The resulting artwork, inspired by the desert’s shifting sands and muted color palette, was crafted using eco-friendly materials like non-toxic iron oxide pigments applied with water for a chalk-like effect. But working in the desert came with its own set of challenges. “The intense heat added to the physical demands, making every step of the process more challenging,” explains the artist. “To view the artwork properly during creation, we had to repeatedly climb a steep dune to achieve the right vantage point. Despite these obstacles, the experience was deeply rewarding.
Popa and his team couldn’t work directly on the constantly moving sand, so they opted to use shading fabric as a canvas. Commonly used in the region for farming and construction, this material not only provided stability but also tied the piece to the local community, which received the fabric as a donation once the project was complete.
“This approach reflects my commitment to sustainability, ensuring the materials are non-invasive and respectful of both the environment and the people who call it home,” the artist says. The fabric, staked into place to combat the desert’s relentless winds, became a critical element of the project’s success.
This commitment to sustainability is a hallmark of Popa’s practice, but so is the impermanence of his creations. “The ephemeral nature of my work is one of its core principles,” he shares. “It mirrors the reality of our existence—nothing lasts forever. The natural environments I work in are fleeting, and that’s what makes them so beautiful.”
Popa has learned to embrace the transient nature of his work, even after years of creating street art where his pieces would often be painted over by others. “When I started, it was painful to see my work disappear,” he admits. “But after doing this for years, I’ve come to accept it. As long as I have my photos and videos to document the process, I feel like the essence of the work lives on.”
The Adizero Desert Runner is available, both online and in adidas stores. Meanwhile, Popa’s artwork remains a stunning tribute to the fleeting magic of art and life itself—a reminder that the most extraordinary creations, like the desert itself, are meant to be cherished in the moment.
