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Sculpture

Lego Daffodils Bloom in Hull, UK, to Celebrate City of Culture 2017

by Zuzana
written by Zuzana

Lego Daffodils Bloom in Hull, UK, to Celebrate City of Culture

Hull’s Floral Display

As spring arrives, Hull, UK, has unveiled a unique floral display that is sure to delight Lego lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. Nearly 2,000 Lego daffodils have taken over the city’s town square, creating a vibrant and whimsical spectacle.

The display is a celebration of Hull’s designation as the United Kingdom’s 2017 City of Culture. The city, also known as Kingston upon Hull, is located in Yorkshire in Northern England. The City of Culture award is given every four years to recognize a city’s unique geography, culture, and people.

For Hull, part of that culture is art and community. The Lego daffodil display is a testament to both, bringing a sense of fun and creativity to a public space. The display was created by Duncan Titmarsh, a professional Lego builder who is one of a handful of people certified by the Danish company to use Lego bricks to create whimsical architecture and sculpture.

Titmarsh’s masterpiece used over 146,000 bricks to build the 1,700-flower display. The bright yellow daffodils are a welcome sight in the newly renovated King Edward Square, a public space where Hull residents can gather and socialize.

The Magic of Lego

Lego bricks have long been a beloved toy for children and adults alike. Their versatility and endless possibilities for creativity have made them a popular medium for art and sculpture. In recent years, professional Lego builders like Titmarsh have pushed the boundaries of Lego construction, creating stunning and complex works of art.

The Lego daffodil display in Hull is a perfect example of the magic that can be created with Lego bricks. The flowers are intricate and lifelike, capturing the delicate beauty of the real thing. The display has brought joy to Hull residents and visitors alike, and it is sure to be remembered as one of the highlights of the city’s year as City of Culture.

A Lasting Legacy

The Lego daffodil display is not just a temporary spectacle. Hull residents will have the opportunity to purchase the flowers on April 18 when the exhibit is taken down. The proceeds from the sale will be donated to local Hull nonprofits.

This is a wonderful way to ensure that the display continues to benefit the community long after it is gone. The Lego daffodils will not only bring joy to Hull residents during the spring season but will also leave a lasting legacy of support for local charities.

Social Media Buzz

The Lego daffodil display has also generated a lot of buzz on social media. Lego lovers and spring aficionados alike have been sharing photos of the flowers on Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms. The display has been featured in articles by major news outlets, including the BBC and Mashable.

The social media attention is a testament to the popularity of the display and the appeal of Lego bricks. It has also helped to spread the word about Hull’s City of Culture designation and the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene.

The Creative Spirit of Hull

The Lego daffodil display is just one example of the creative spirit that thrives in Hull. The city has a rich history of art and culture, and it is home to a number of museums, galleries, and theaters. Hull is also a UNESCO World Heritage City, recognized for its unique maritime heritage.

The City of Culture designation is a testament to Hull’s commitment to art and culture. The city has a full calendar of events planned for 2017, including music festivals, art exhibitions, and theater productions.

If you are looking for a city with a vibrant and welcoming arts and culture scene, Hull is definitely worth a visit. The Lego daffodil display is just one of the many reasons to explore this hidden gem in the north of England.

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Contemporary Art

Ai Weiwei’s Lego ‘Water Lilies’: Exploring Beauty, Exile, and Technology

by Jasmine
written by Jasmine

Ai Weiwei’s Lego “Water Lilies”: Beauty, Exile, and Technology

A Masterpiece Reimagined

In a captivating exhibition at London’s Design Museum, renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei unveils his latest Lego masterpiece: “Water Lilies #1.” This nearly 50-foot-long work is Ai’s interpretation of Claude Monet’s famous triptych, completed between 1914 and 1926. Made entirely of 650,000 Lego pieces, “Water Lilies #1” spans an entire wall of the gallery, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in its intricate beauty.

Exploring Themes of Beauty and Nature

Ai Weiwei’s “Water Lilies #1” is not merely a recreation of Monet’s original. It is a profound exploration of beauty and the natural world. Through the medium of Legos, Ai captures the essence of Monet’s Impressionist style, with its vibrant colors and blurred, pixelated forms.

However, Ai’s interpretation also transcends the idyllic beauty of Monet’s lily ponds. The dark spot in the center of the artwork, depicting the door to an underground dugout where Ai’s family lived in exile, juxtaposes the serene water lilies with the harsh realities of human experience. This juxtaposition highlights Ai’s ongoing exploration of the tension between beauty and suffering.

Exile and Personal Experience

Ai Weiwei’s childhood in exile has deeply influenced his artistic vision. “Water Lilies #1” is infused with personal symbolism, alluding to the isolation and displacement he experienced during his formative years. The underground dugout, represented by the dark spot, becomes a powerful metaphor for the hidden struggles and hardships of those who live on the margins of society.

Ai’s use of Legos, with their standardized shapes and colors, further emphasizes the theme of exile. Just as the artist was forced to adapt to different environments during his childhood, the Lego bricks symbolize the interchangeable and often impersonal nature of modern life.

Technology and Pixelation

Beyond its exploration of beauty and exile, “Water Lilies #1” also delves into the realm of technology and digitalization. Ai Weiwei uses Legos to create a pixelated interpretation of Monet’s masterpiece, suggesting the increasing dominance of digital technologies in contemporary society.

The “depersonalized language of industrial parts and colors” in Ai’s work, as described by Justin McGuirk, the Design Museum’s chief curator, reflects the alienation and fragmentation that can accompany technological advancements. The pixel-like blocks evoke the digital realm, where images and information are reduced to a series of ones and zeros.

Synthesis and Artistic Legacy

Ai Weiwei’s “Water Lilies #1” is a multifaceted work that synthesizes elements of art history, personal experience, and contemporary technology. It is a testament to Ai’s artistic innovation and his ability to provoke thought and emotion through his evocative use of materials.

This latest Lego artwork adds to Ai Weiwei’s legacy as one of the most influential artists of our time. Known for his anti-authoritarian stance and his exploration of social and political issues, Ai Weiwei continues to push the boundaries of artistic expression and challenge conventional notions of beauty and value.

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Parenting

LEGO Faces: A Growing Trend Towards Anger

by Kim
written by Kim

LEGO Faces: A Trend Towards Anger

Overview

LEGOs have become increasingly varied over the years, and with that variety has come a wider range of expressions for the iconic yellow minifigure. However, a recent study has found that the trend is towards angrier faces.

Study Findings

Researchers analyzed images of over 3,600 LEGO minifigure heads produced between 1975 and 2010. They found that while the majority of faces were still happy (324), the second most common expression was anger (192). This represents a significant increase in angry faces compared to previous years.

The study also found that the increase in angry faces was accompanied by an increase in the number of weapons included with LEGO characters. The researchers speculate that this shift may be related to the growing popularity of action movies and video games, many of which feature violent content.

Concerns About Angry LEGO Faces

The researchers express concern about the potential impact of angry LEGO faces on children. They note that children often use LEGOs to play out their own stories and emotions, and that exposure to angry faces could lead to increased aggression or negative self-image. However, the study did not investigate any direct links between angry LEGOs and angry kids.

Implications for Parents and Educators

Parents and educators should be aware of the trend towards angrier LEGO faces and consider how it might affect their children. They may want to encourage children to choose LEGO sets with a variety of emotions, including positive ones, and to talk to children about the importance of expressing emotions in healthy ways.

What Can Be Done?

There are a few things that can be done to address the concerns about angry LEGO faces:

  • Parents and educators can encourage children to choose LEGO sets with a variety of emotions. This will help children to develop a more well-rounded understanding of emotions and how to express them in healthy ways.
  • LEGO can design more LEGO sets with positive emotions. This will help to create a more balanced representation of emotions in LEGO products.
  • Researchers can conduct more studies on the impact of angry LEGO faces on children. This will help to determine whether there is a causal link between exposure to angry LEGO faces and increased aggression or negative self-image in children.

Additional Information

  • The study on LEGO faces was published in the journal “Emotion”.
  • LEGO has been around for over 80 years.
  • LEGOs are one of the most popular toys in the world.

Conclusion

The trend towards angrier LEGO faces is a cause for concern. Parents, educators, and LEGO can all play a role in addressing this issue and ensuring that children have access to a variety of emotions through LEGO play.

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