What started as a personal collection for Brooklyn artist Kaves has grown into a massive immersive experience celebrating Brooklyn\u2019s culture, history and identity.<\/p>\n
Brooklyn Pop, located inside Industry City in Sunset Park, features more than 3,000 pieces spread across an 11,000-square-foot installation.<\/p>\n
Kaves, who was born and raised in Bay Ridge, described the project as a tribute to the borough that shaped him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was my way of writing the dearest love letter to Brooklyn I could,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Once a month, the exhibit transforms into an interactive theatrical production called \u201cA Brooklyn Dream,\u201d featuring 30 actors, live music, dancing and food. <\/p>\n
Audience members move through different rooms and decades as the story unfolds around them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a fever dream,\u201d Kaves said. \u201cYou\u2019re transported into these different time periods, the \u201970s, the \u201980s, the \u201990s.\u201d<\/p>\n
The experience follows a young version of Kaves navigating life in Brooklyn through the decades, while also exploring his family\u2019s roots and artistic influences.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a three-generational love story, underdog story through the eyes of an artist,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Visitors move through recreations of movie sets, old-school social clubs and vintage Brooklyn scenes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt any given moment, you might get scooped up and get put into the card game, or you might get pulled onto the dance floor,\u201d Kaves said.<\/p>\n
The exhibit also reflects Kaves\u2019 early years as a graffiti artist. He said he started painting trains at age 10 and completed his first train car at 13.<\/p>\n
Beyond nostalgia, Kaves said the project is also about preserving Brooklyn\u2019s identity as neighborhoods continue to change.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t hold on to our stories, it would be tragic if we lose our accents, we lose who we are,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n