Truck Driver's Viral New York City Model Now on Display at Museum
Joe Macken's sprawling scale model of New York City, built over two decades and recently gaining viral attention on TikTok, is now being exhibited at the Museum of the City of New York.
After more than 20 years of dedicated work, truck driver Joe Macken has seen his massive scale model of New York City become a subject of significant public interest. Macken spent his free time constructing the intricate model, which features over 800,000 structures.
His daughter encouraged him to share the creation on TikTok, where short video clips of the model quickly went viral, attracting over 10 million views in a single week. This online popularity led to an invitation from the Museum of the City of New York.
The museum's exhibit, titled "He Built This City," opened in February and showcases Macken's detailed work. The model, spanning 50 feet by 30 feet, meticulously recreates five boroughs and surrounding areas using balsa wood and foam board.
Macken stated that he enjoyed the building process itself and did not focus on completion. Elisabeth Sherman, the museum's chief curator, noted the model's broad appeal, bridging social media trends and traditional art appreciation by offering a unique perspective on the complex city.