Through recycled objects on the street, artist Danny Cortes creates miniatures of places and objects in New York that were significant among hip-hoppers in the 90s.
Several of the miniatures are from the streets of Bushwick in New York, where his studio is also located.
- What looks crazy, ugly and disgusting to people is beautiful to me, because everything tells a story.
The graffiti, the trash... says Danny Cortes.
Selling at Sotheby's
It started as a hobby during the pandemic, but after he showcased his first works on social media, it took off.
Among other things, the artistic company Mass Appeal, which collaborates with rap legend Nas, was commissioned to make a model of the classic portable stereo "ghetto-blaster boombox" for an album cover.
Earlier this year, four of his works were also sold at a hip-hop auction at the auction house Sotheby's.
- After Sotheby's, another gallery, and so it continued.
Bigger clients, celebrity clients and the news, says Danny Cortes.
Famous among rap artists
The miniatures have also gained a lot of attention among rap artists who bought several of the miniatures.
Danny Cortes says he wants to create a sense of nostalgia with his works and many of his clients have grown up in the areas he reconstructs.
- They are rich, they don't even live in New York anymore, and they want a piece of the city.
That's when I come and give them that little piece of home that they love and miss so much, says Danny Cortes.