The most ambitious Lego build we have in our house is the Home Alone house, which is around 4,000 pieces and currently only a third of the way done. It's been a month and a half and is currently dominating a significant portion of our dining table, but our 10-year-old is determined to complete it on his own between his busy schedule of school and sports. I am about two weeks away from giving him a deadline to finish it and silently praying I don't break it when it's time to move it to the bookcase.
Now let me tell you about 10-year-old Nathan Sawaya, who created his life-sized dog when he was told he couldn't have a real one. I am not sure how long it took him to complete his Lego pet, but I do know that today, as a grown man, he is creating life-sized human forms in less time than it is taking us to complete a model with a full set of instructions and carefully labeled bags. His human forms use about 15,000 to 25,000 of the classic rectangular bricks and he can finish one in about 2 to 4 weeks. That alone is mind-blowing to me!
Nathan Sawaya is an acclaimed lawyer turned artist who uses nothing but bricks to create astonishing works of art - beyond the impressive human forms, he has recreated several historic art pieces such as Van Gogh's Starry Night, Munch's The Scream, and Da Vinci's Mona Lisa. He also collaborated with photographer Dean West to create a mixed-media collection which has resulted in amazing hyper-realistic photographs featuring some truly astonishing sculptures made entirely from brick. One of the largest sculptures he has created is a T-Rex that is about 20 feet long and used 80,000 pieces. He dedicated an entire summer to create this specific piece as a thank you to all of the children who wrote to him after seeing some of his work.
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His collection, "The Art of the Brick", which has toured to every continent (except for Antarctica), has landed in Chicago at our very own Museum of Science & Industry. This ticketed exhibit is spread across two galleries and is certain to impress guests of all ages. The staff of MSI has also incorporated interactive components to this experience that are sure to interest guests of all ages - such as graphing emotional response to specific pieces in the collection, learning to observe art, and a free build area (with guidance if desired) at the very end of the exhibit. The gift shop has also added a few special items to help you remember this experience, and inspire your creativity at home. This exhibit is one I walked out of and thought to myself "it is hands-down worth the ticket to see this" and I am already planning to return with my kids soon.
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To see "The Art of the Brick" you will want to purchase a separate ticket (timed entry, $14/adult, $11/child, $7/Members) when you purchase your general admission online. The museum is open from 9 am to 4 pm and you can plan your visit on the MSI website. Parking is $22 for non-members.
Here is a 40-second sneak peek at just some of what you will get to see at "The Art of the Brick"
currently at the Museum of Science & Industry
Note: To be a member or not is always a math problem worth considering. A membership for a family (2 adults, all children, and 1 guest) is something to consider if you plan on visiting this museum at least twice a year. You will receive free parking, 10 free passes to the Giant Dome Theatre, access to the Members Lounge, free coat & stroller check, and discounted tickets to special exhibits. Your membership will also get you a 50% discount at three "local" museums (Sci-Tech Hands-On in Aurora, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago, and the Milwaukee Public Museum) PLUS reciprocity at hundred of museums across the country - great for traveling! Click here to see the full comparison of membership levels at MSI.
