Michael “Kaves” McLeer says he made his name in the subway tunnels of Brooklyn as a young graffiti artist in the 1980s.

He designed a full mock up of an actual subway tunnel that even smells like the subway. 

“Down in Sunset Park on 53rd Street, we honor some of the great graffiti writers. I made my voice on the subway,” Kaves said.

What You Need To Know

  • Brooklyn Pop is a new art installation from Michael “Kaves” McLeer at Industry City

  • Kaves is an artist and founder of the hip hop group Lordz of Brooklyn with his brother Adam

  • The installation features set pieces, artifacts and films directed by Kaves — all dedicated to Brooklyn

The set piece is one part of an art installation called Brooklyn Pop. It’s Kaves’ love letter to his beloved Brooklyn, where he was born and raised and remains to this day.

There is Sal’s Pizzeria from Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing.” He acquired the actual sign from the recently closed Lenny’s Pizza in Bensonhurst from “Saturday Night Fever.” There are tributes to Coney Island and the film “The Warriors.”

It’s all Brooklyn — all inside a massive space at Industry City in Sunset Park.

“It’s [Brooklyn] a very hip place now. It’s a brand, it’s a global brand, but I am going to tell you, I am going to show you in this exhibit: how it became so cool. It’s the blood, sweat and tears of Brooklyn people, underdogs that will keep getting up and fighting, and as an artist, it’s my job to tell that story,” Kaves said.

Kaves’ own upbringing on the streets of Bay Ridge include the tragedy of losing his mother and baby sister in a hit-and-run accident, and beating the odds with his hip hop group The Lordz of Brooklyn, which also featured his brother Adam. Kaves’ grandmother had dreams of Hollywood.

“You can achieve anything if you really believe in yourself, and take something broken and turn it into something beautiful,” Kaves said.

There are plenty of artifacts, memorabilia and films directed by Kaves at the installation — all paying tribute to the Brooklyn dream. Industry City managing director Jim Somoza says it fits in perfectly within the mini city near the Brooklyn waterfront.

“The creativity of our tenants, we have so many artists and makers and thinkers and creative people. This is just another example of what we do,” Somoza said.

As Kaves says, it’s all about the Brooklyn attitude, and spreading love the Brooklyn way.

The installation opens to the public Sept. 28, a few days after a ribbon cutting ceremony sponsored by the Brookyn Chamber of Commerce.