Mercedes Benz - Taninho - Sculpture, Dream.Do.Drive - 20 cm - Other - 2026

My work “Dream.Do.Drive.” transforms the iconic ribbed taillight of a Mercedes W123 into an expressive, three-dimensional piece of pop- and urban-art. Created in Burgwedel, the sculpture merges the aesthetics of classical automotive culture with the rebellious spirit of 90s hip-hop. The completely freehand-applied lettering intentionally avoids stencils to preserve the individual, raw street-art character. Cosmic elements in the form of delicate constellations weave through the piece, complementing the overarching theme of dreaming and infinity.
The object functions as a sculptural canvas that reveals new musical and personal messages from every angle.
In the demanding, stair-like structure of the lamp are subtle messages that emphasize the intimate connection to the Mercedes brand.
A tribute to Tupac Shakur dominates this area: “Picture me rollin in my 500 Benz - got NO LOVE for these phony hometown Friends.” A brilliant typographic detail is the stylization of the zeros in the number 500 into an infinity symbol.
On the underside, classical rap meets electronic melancholy. Another Tupac quote (“Rollin in a BENZ Smokin Weed with my Crew uh yeah”) is contrasted by the text passage “You are heating me - In the memories - WE END - Cool Melt is custody” by the electronic duo HVOB. Additionally, the signature “100% Recycling + 100% Handcrafted 2026 in Burgwedel” is located here.
The vibrant palette of rich gold, pink, green, and blue breaks the classic red-orange transparency of the lamp. Even the hollow interior of the back has been divided into various colorful, lively cityscapes and elaborately painted with symbols. As a pop-cultural stylistic rupture and humorous element, Mr. Krabs from SpongeBob unexpectedly appears in the scene. The constellations visually connect the different quotes and reflect the motto of reaching for one’s own stars.
For anyone who has dreamed of a Mercedes since childhood, this is the perfect decoration for the car.