Artfully Nostalgic using LEGO bricks - 'The Art of Brick' Exhibition@Singapore ArtScience Museum21/2/2013 Do you remember playing with LEGO bricks as a child? I love LEGO, my nephew and niece love LEGO and I am sure many of you do too. All of us had come into contact with that one brick at some point in our lives and we too know how creativity and imagination knows no bounds when it comes to LEGO. I was fortunate to have the chance to see an exhibit that CNN dubbed one of its top “must see exhibitions” - The Art of the Brick (exhibition runs until 14th April 2013). I always loved LEGO as a child, but my creations topped out at small houses and towers. This exhibit takes the use of LEGOs to a whole new level, using them as a new medium of artistic expression, thanks to New York-based artist Nathan Sawaya. Nathan Sawaya is a lawyer-turned-artist who uses LEGO bricks as the sole art medium for his works. Nathan's ability to transform LEGO bricks into something new and his devotion to scale and colour perfection, has enabled him to elevate an ordinary toy to the status of fine art. One man has taken his passion for LEGO bricks one step further and came up with magnificent art sculptures. Masterpieces like this. For the first time in Southeast Asia, Nathan will be showcasing his largest collection of large-scale LEGO sculptures at ArtScience Museum titled 'The Art of the Brick'. Touted as one of CNN's 12 Must-see Exhibitions, The Art of the Brick will treat visitors to stunning displays of intricate sculptures made from LEGO bricks since last year November to mid-April 2013 including a specially-commissioned sculpture of the ArtScience Museum by the artist. Moving into the gallery upon arrival. I had the opportunity to view the exhibition and my word, it was mind-blowing. Just take a look at some of the sculptures on display. Yellow is my favorite piece. It is one of his best known pieces. What lies in the heart of a (half) man? A Lego swimmer lies suspended in the shimmering light. The gallery also featured many of Sawaya’s human form sculptures. Different colored Lego people with shaped heads. There aren't just 3-D sculptures that were on display. Portraits that are formed entirely from LEGO bricks astounded me in a similar manner. I can’t imagine how many individual pieces of Lego must have been used to create all the exhibits on display but the information board about each piece does tell you how many were used for that specific one. I actually wondered, when i was walking around, if Lego supplied him with bricks but that’s not the case, he buys all of his bricks and uses colours that anyone can buy in a shop. So if you are inspired to create a piece of Lego art too you can. A LEGO brick version of the ArtScience Museum – a commissioned piece specially for this exhibition. For the more adventurous (and those with thick soles), they can try out the Reflexology path and walk barefoot across the path of bricks. Sawaya’s unique artworks have won him the “Most Creative Unusual Artist” award from the Society of Unique Artists. The Unique Art Awards recognise exceptional artists around the world for their unconventional artworks. The current exhibition at the ArtScience museum is, yet a well worth a visit if you can. Before visiting, i wasn’t sure if i’d be that interested in an exhibition of art work made from Lego but i have to say i was really pleasantly surprised. I’ve never considered LEGO being used to create pieces of art, that is until now.
Optimistic, inspirational, playful and yet with a touch of the surreal, this artist’s exhibition should please just about anyone. The sight of Lego bricks alone makes anyone feel blissfully nostalgic. Who knows, you might just be inspired to pick up those blocks again. If you have not been visited this exhibition in Singapore, be sure to catch this exhibit before April 2013. It is definitely an exhibit not to be missed. :-)
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