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1520

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Project Year

2024

Client

Selfridges

In a bold celebration of breakdancing’s debut in the Olympics, the new sculpture “1520” emerges as a fusion of artistry and cultural homage. This evocative piece, created by Lazerian in collaboration with artist Daren Newman, stands as a testament to the dynamic essence of breaking, blending its roots from the hallowed grounds of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in The Bronx, NYC, with the raw vibrancy of street culture.

A dynamic view of an abstract sculpture featuring elongated, wing-like white forms attached to slender golden rods. The delicate elements appear to be floating, creating a sense of movement as they arc gracefully in different directions. The soft textures and fine stitching on the forms enhance the organic, natural feel of the composition against the minimal white background.
A close-up view of a circular white base featuring intricate geometric carvings. Delicate golden rods rise from the center of the base, creating a dynamic, organic structure. Surrounding the rods are curved elements resembling shoe patterns, enhancing the sculpture's complexity and depth. The interplay of light and shadow on the carved base adds a sense of texture and dimension to the design.
A close-up view of an intricate art piece by Lazerian featuring stylized white shoe components suspended in mid-air. The shoes are delicately connected by thin, curved golden wires, creating a sense of movement and flow. The minimalistic design and soft lighting highlight the craftsmanship and attention to detail, giving the impression of shoes gracefully floating in space.
A detailed close-up of a Lazerian sculpture featuring white shoe components suspended on thin golden wires. The shoes are depicted in various stages of assembly, showcasing delicate stitching and textured surfaces. The minimalistic background emphasizes the floating, ethereal nature of the design, evoking a sense of motion and lightness.

At first glance, “1520” captivates with its intricate design, beginning at its foundation – a manhole-like base that firmly grounds the sculpture in the urban landscapes of both New York City and Manchester (MCR). This base is not just a structural necessity but a symbolic nod to the birthplace of hip-hop and breaking, intertwining the gritty realism of the streets with the soaring ambitions of its dancers.

A close-up of the base of a Lazerian sculpture, showcasing a geometric pattern carved into a white surface. Thin golden rods rise from the intricately designed platform, adding a sense of depth and precision. The interplay of light and shadow highlights the craftsmanship and complexity of the design, creating an abstract yet organized visual effect.

From this manhole base, brass jet-like bars erupt, creating an impression of explosive energy and forward momentum. These bars support an avian supernatural form, meticulously crafted from stone and suede. The choice of materials is both deliberate and profound, stripping back to the bare essentials that have long been iconic in the world of breaking – the Adidas shell toe and Puma suede shoes. This minimalist approach not only pays homage to the originators of breakdancing footwear but also elevates the ordinary into the extraordinary.

A detailed view of the intricate geometric patterns etched into the white base of a Lazerian sculpture. Thin golden rods rise from the base, creating a dynamic composition of light and shadow. The carved lines and shapes form a symmetrical, maze-like design, evoking a sense of order and precision
A close-up of a single white, abstract shape attached to a slender golden rod. The organic, flowing design of the piece evokes a sense of movement and grace, with intricate stitched patterns visible on the surface. The backdrop is minimalist, allowing the soft curves and the contrast of the white form against the thin golden rod to take center stage. The image captures the elegance and simplicity of the kinetic artwork.
A minimalist Lazerian sculpture featuring elegant white shoe-like forms, suspended in mid-air by fine golden rods. The clean lines and gentle curves of the shoes give the piece a sense of graceful movement, as if the shoes are floating effortlessly in space. The background is a crisp white, enhancing the light and airy quality of the installation.

The avian form, with its ethereal wings, captures the free-flight movement that breakdancers epitomise, embodying their defiance of gravity and their unyielding connection to the ground beneath. The supernatural aspect of this figure transcends the physical, suggesting the almost otherworldly grace and agility of the dancers.

A Lazerian sculpture showcasing white shoe forms suspended from thin golden rods. The shoe components are arranged in a dynamic, upward flow, emphasizing movement and lightness. The detailed stitching on each shoe is visible, contrasting against the clean, minimal background, creating a visually captivating display of balance and craftsmanship.

Yet, what truly animates “1520” is its kinetic nature. With the gentle breeze of passersby, the winged forms sway and bounce, mimicking the perpetual motion of breaking. This element of movement ensures the sculpture is never static, a living tribute to a dance form that thrives on fluidity and spontaneity.

“1520” is more than a sculpture; it is an artistic celebration of breakdancing’s storied past, vibrant present, and promising future. It encapsulates the spirit of the streets, the innovation of its dancers, and the transcendent beauty of their craft, standing as a timeless tribute to the Olympic sport that continues to evolve and inspire.

The base of “1520” resembles a manhole cover, grounding the sculpture in the urban landscapes of both New York City and Manchester. This design choice symbolises the connection to the origins of hip-hop and breaking.

Emerging from the base are brass jet-like bars, signifying explosive energy and forward momentum. These bars support the sculpture’s central form, highlighting the dynamic and powerful nature of breakdancing.

A detailed close-up of the base of a Lazerian sculpture, featuring an intricate geometric pattern engraved into the surface. Thin golden rods emerge from precise holes in the base, supporting the flowing white shoe-like forms above. The base displays subtle industrial elements, including screws, adding a sense of structure to the organic design. The engraved letters 'IN' are visible, indicating a signature or logo, giving a sense of both artistic precision and branding within the piece.
A close-up view of a Lazerian sculpture featuring white shoe-like forms, delicately suspended on thin golden rods. The design creates an illusion of upward movement, emphasizing the elegant, airy aesthetic of the shoes. Each shoe is intricately detailed with subtle stitching patterns, standing out against the minimal, bright background. The composition radiates a sense of lightness and artistic balance.
A close-up of an abstract sculpture featuring thin golden rods supporting white, wing-like structures. The curved forms are intricate, with textured surfaces that suggest a balance between lightness and strength. The minimalistic white background enhances the ethereal quality of the floating forms, giving the sculpture an organic, almost otherworldly feel.
A sculptural installation featuring white, shoe-like forms mounted on delicate golden rods. The elements fan out in various directions, creating a visually striking composition that appears to be in motion. Set against a plain white background, the piece highlights the graceful interplay between the forms and their shadows, emphasizing balance and movement.

The sculpture features an avian figure crafted from jesmonite and suede, representing the grace and agility of breakdancers. This form is inspired by the iconic breakdancing footwear, including the iconic Adidas shell toe and Puma suede shoes.

The iconic shell toes were cast using Jesmonite, a durable material chosen for its aesthetic and functional properties. Precise molds were created to capture the intricate details of the original shoe designs.

The wings are crafted from high-quality suede, laminated for strength and laser-cut for precision. These pieces were stitched together using a combination of traditional and modern techniques to ensure robustness and elegance.

“1520” is designed to move with the environment. The wings sway and bounce with the breeze, mimicking the fluid movements of breakdancers. This kinetic feature ensures the sculpture is never static, embodying the perpetual motion and spontaneity of breaking.

A dynamic view of an abstract sculpture featuring elongated, wing-like white forms attached to slender golden rods. The delicate elements appear to be floating, creating a sense of movement as they arc gracefully in different directions. The soft textures and fine stitching on the forms enhance the organic, natural feel of the composition against the minimal white background.

Commissioned by Selfridges as part of their Sportopia campaign, “1520” will be on display in Manchester starting Friday, 19th July. Sportopia is Selfridges’ summer event, transforming the store into a unique sports venue with brand collaborations, interactive activities, and opportunities to connect with sporting communities.

Lazerian collaborated with artist Daren Newman on the concept of “1520”. This partnership brought together Newman’s vision and Lazerian’s expertise in design and fabrication, resulting in a piece that beautifully captures the spirit and dynamism of breakdancing.

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