Artist Daniel Arsham has made a career of turning his favorite playthings into the subject of his artwork. Arsham is also renown for his affinity for his Porsche 930 Turbo, making him a fascinating, if not delightfully unexpected Mattel’s Hot Wheels future Legends collaborator in a capsule collection that dares to cross the line between plaything and prized collectible.

Gloved right hand holding stone white Daniel Arsham x Hot Wheels collection Porsche vehicle model made from Silkstone in front of the collection's wheel shaped carrying case.

At the heart of Arsham’s Future Legends miniature die-cast collection are eight Hot Wheels 1:64-scale vehicles, one including a replica of his own Porsche in an eroded state.

Stone white Daniel Arsham x Hot Wheels collection Porsche vehicle model made from Silkstone driving down a winding downward across a stretch of green plastic toy track.

Arsham’s work is often described as “archaeological,” utilizing deterioration and erosion as his hallmark style across a wide range of contemporary objects: sculptures, vehicles, sports memorabilia, iconic pop cultural items, and now, Hot Wheels vehicles.

Stone white Daniel Arsham x Hot Wheels collection Porsche and Dodge Charger models made from Silkstone racing side by side down a winding downward across a stretch of green plastic toy track.

The artist’s love for Porsche is realized in the form of his own Porsche 930 Turbo in Hot Wheels form, alongside an Eroded Super Rally Case in the shape of a wheel and tire finished in the artist’s signature mythical contemporary archeological aesthetic.

Daniel Arsham x Hot Wheels collection Dodge Charger vehicle model made from Silkstone encased in a clear display case, with the label

The two-year collaborative project by Arsham Studio and the Mattel Creations design team first goes live October 27th with Lap One; Arsham was inspired by the heritage and history of the Rodger Dodger – a modified 1973 Dodge Charger SE with a blown V8 engine emerging from the hood.

The interior case of the Eroded Super Rally Case features eight slots for each vehicle designed for the collaboration, with two occupied with the first pair if release, Arsham's Porsche and the Rodger Dodger Dodge Challenger Hot Wheels models.

The interior case of the Eroded Super Rally Case features eight slots for each vehicle designed for the collaboration and is a nod to the original 1968 Hot Wheels Rally Case.

Arsham credits Hot Wheels toymaker Mattel for allowing the artist to experiment with new materials and processes, leading to the unique use of Silkstone, a composite material made with bauxite mixed in a vacuum with polyester resin, then hardened at high temperature. Barbie enthusiasts may also recognize Silkstone, as it is the same material embellished with paint across the limited Barbie Signature dolls collection similar aimed at adult collectors rather than children.

Packaging and display of the Eroded Super Rally Case shaped like car wheel and tire, with Daniel Arsham's Silkstone Porsche in a clear case above it in a slot in the box.

Gloved right hand holding stone white Daniel Arsham x Hot Wheels collection Porsche vehicle model made from Silkstone in front of the collection's wheel shaped carrying case, with 7 other empty slots intended for displaying the other eventual releases.

Mattel Creations developed creative ways to deliver my vision by thinking outside of the box and experimenting with new materials and processes. This is the first time Silkstone has been used on a Hot Wheels model, and my first time working with this material, making it a historic moment for both of us.

– Daniel Arsham

Stone white Daniel Arsham x Hot Wheels collection surrounded by stretches of green plastic toy track, with opened Eroded carrying case in near center, with Porsche and Dodge Challenger Hot Wheels models stored inside two of the eight display case slots.

Open case with measuring tools, Hot Wheels stickers and pins in turquoise, and Daniel Arsham's Hot Wheels scale model Porsche in the lower right hand corner.

The Mattel Creations x Daniel Arsham Hot Wheels collection, along with a selection of accessories including keychains, stickers, and a limited collection of prints to complement and commemorate the eight model collection.

Daniel Arsham's all-white workshop studio with white pegboard with measuring tools hanging on it with Hot Wheels commemorative poster and eroded wheel carrying case in the right hand corner, Porsche and Dodge Charger sale models in the forefront next to two Hot Wheels pins.

While Hot Wheels are toys by definition, there’s no doubt Arsham’s collection is aimed to appeal to a growing segment of adult collectors who may not consider these miniatures as mere playthings but as historical artifacts of their own childhood memories worth cherishing.

Grey and white eroded Hot Wheels Super Rally carrying case in front of several colored sheets for packaging, alongside a section of curved orange track and scale model prototypes of Daniel Arsham's two Hot Wheels vehicles.

The Mattel Creations x Daniel Arsham Hot Wheels collection, including a selection of accessories including keychains, stickers, and a limited collection of prints are available starting today on MattelCreations.com.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.

Similar Posts