Brick artist Nathan Sawaya spent an entire summer putting together his 80,020-Lego brick dinosaur skeleton creation (2010). Image: Tang Portfolio
Have you ever thought of assembling a dinosaur skeleton simply with Lego bricks even when there is no such kit available?
If you did, see if you can top what Nathan Sawaya did with 80,020 Lego bricks. His 1.8-metre tall Lego dinosaur skeleton creation six metres in length required an entire summer to put together and it is currently one of the largest sculptures he has ever built.
Impressed? Well, Sawaya is one of 13 individuals in the world certified by Lego as Brick Masters. Describing himself a Brick Artist, Sawaya is the very same gentleman who created Yellow, a sculpture you’d never forget once you see it.
Sawaya’s “Yellow” (2006) sculpture made of 11,014 bricks is an unforgettable creation; this is one reason why it is iconic. Photo: © TANG Portfolio
Then there is Sawaya’s life-size Blue Guy Sitting which is a true-blue (pun most definitely intended) “people magnet” at his exhibitions. Once you spot this sculpture, you’d instinctively want to sit on the empty seat beside it and have your photo taken with Mr Blue Guy.
Blue Guy Sitting (2010) has an (inviting) empty black chair beside him as people would naturally gravitate towards this sculpture to have a photo taken with him. Image: Tang Portfolio
Speaking of exhibitions, if you are in Singapore during the period 17 November to 14 April 2013 and would like to view Sawaya’s Lego creations, then do head down to the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands for the “Art of the Brick” exhibition. Here you will be able to appreciate first-hand 52 of his Lego sculptures.
Not sure what the ArtScience Museum looks like? Well, Sawaya was also commissioned by the museum to construct it and his sculpture was accomplished with 15,999 Lego bricks.
Singapore’s ArtScience Museum required 15,999 Lego bricks. Image: Tang Portfolio
A visit to view his sculptures is well worth the effort, especially to discover how this gentleman can turn what many would simply classify as a toy into iconic art forms.
Moreover, bear in mind while viewing the exhibits that Sawaya only uses standard Lego bricks and not one piece was customised for his sculptures.
Brick Artist Nathan Sawaya. Image: Tang Portfolio, taken at the ArtScience Museum
How is this exhibition related to time? Plenty, just consider the time, thought and effort required to put together such impressive Lego sculptures; and by the way, do note that the bricks are glued, just in case you suddenly have the “itchy” fingers urge.
We also noted that this talented artist sported a highly appropriate timepiece: a Movado wristwatch with the famed “Museum watch dial” – the dial with the single dot at 12 o’clock when he was here in Singapore.
Perhaps this Lego sculpture will serve as a reminder for you to make a (mental) note to visit to the ArtScience Museum’s “Art of the Brick”, something we highly recommend for everyone, adults included; after all, there is a child inside all of us