# Bleached 80s Artifacts Cody Hamilton Whitens & Preserves 1980s Items By Howard Wu | Published 2010-11-13 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1980s-relics-80s-icons-in-white References: [codyhamilton.us](http://www.codyhamilton.us/#59) In his collection titled "Relics," Texan photographer Cody Hamilton has found an artistic use for many once-popular, but now obsolete items of 80s merchandise. With a simple coat of white paint, the 1980s retail success stories can now enjoy a short revival, even if only for museum value. Items included in Hamilton's collection include the Rubik's Cube, Atari 2600, Magnavox Stereo, the "brick" cell phone, a Casio calculator wrist watch, RayBan sunglasses, a VHS Video Casette, a ViewMaster 3-D, and of course, Mr. Stay Puft. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 39% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Retro Revival:** The trend of repurposing and preserving obsolete 80s items through artistic whitening opens up opportunities for creating niche museums and specialty retail experiences. - **Nostalgia Marketing:** Brands can tap into the emotional attachment people have towards 80s artifacts by incorporating retro-inspired designs or launching limited-edition throwback products. - **Cultural Preservation:** The preservation of 80s artifacts fosters cultural appreciation and encourages further exploration of past eras, creating opportunities for engaging exhibitions and educational platforms. ### Who This Affects Most - **Art Restoration:** The process of whitening and preserving 80s artifacts presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for art restoration services, catering to a niche market of vintage enthusiasts. - **Museum and Exhibition:** The growth of interest in repurposed 80s items allows for the creation of specialized museums and exhibitions that provide an immersive experience showcasing the nostalgia of the era. - **Licensing and Merchandising:** With the renewed popularity of 80s artifacts, licensing and merchandising opportunities arise for brands to collaborate on limited-edition collections inspired by iconic 80s items. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Decayed Car Playsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-wheels-x-daniel-arsham.md) - [Branded 80s-Era Instant Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retrospekt.md) - [Analog Nostalgia Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/back-to-basics-ii.md) - [Crystal-Adorned Crushed Cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sam-keller.md) - [Nostalgic Computer Graphic Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retrospekt-and-polaroid.md) - [Collectible Pop Culture-Referencing Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/san-diego-comiccon.md) - [Retro Doll-Themed Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-film-camera.md) - [Pop Art Legend-Honoring Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keiichi-tanaami-1.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md)