It wasn't built in a day
I have four sons and I spent a large part of their childhoods stepping
over or around LEGO edifices or pulling those tiny plastic pieces out of
the vacuum cleaner. I have witnessed the most amazing constructions:
new and exciting worlds direct from their imaginations given life
through those deceptively simple, clever and colourful building blocks.
But all the vehicles, battles, towers, and bridges crafted by my sons pale into insignificance when considered beside the ultimate LEGO masterpiece currently on display at Sydney University's Nicholson Museum - a LEGO Colosseum, no less. Well, actually it's half the Colosseum (a cutaway version so you can see what's going on inside) with the Arch of Constantine thrown in for good measure.
The LEGO Colosseum was built by Ryan McNaught, a.k.a "The Brickman", one of only thirteen LEGO Certified Professionals in the world. I've often thought that Adam and Jamie from Mythbusters have the coolest jobs in the world, but spending your adult life playing with LEGO has got to come in a close second. Ryan used more than 200,000 LEGO bricks in the Colosseum's construction which, like Rome, wasn't built in a day. It took five weeks to complete - not quite so backbreaking as the original which was finished in approximately eight years.
The model is constructed so that half shows how the Colosseum looks today in its partially ruined state and the other half demonstrates how it would have looked in 80 AD, the year it was opened.
In the ancient half there are centurions and gladiators, bloodthirsty spectators attired in rather fetching togas, ravening and exotic animals, and even a chariot race. The only problem is that you can't tell whether the Emperor Titus is giving the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" signal because LEGO people unfortunately don't have thumbs. That minor design flaw can keep the kids guessing.
The modern half is adorned with tour groups, a fountain and an
unusual Popemobile. Constantine's Arch comes complete with its Latin
inscription.
The model is the centrepiece of an exhibition about the famous Colosseum and life in ancient Rome, which also displays artefacts, coins and sculpture. What a brilliant way to bring history to life in a way that kids can understand and enjoy. The idea is they come for the LEGO and stay for the exhibition and that strategy has been working a treat. They can also check out the museum's fascinating ongoing exhibitions where the stuff of myth and legend comes to life: The Etruscans: A Classical Fantasy and Egyptians, gods and mummies: Travels with Herodotus .
Exhibition Details
When: Until 1 February 2013. Every weekday between 10am and 4.30pm and the first Saturday of every month from 12 noon to 4pm.
Where: Nicholson Museum, The Quadrangle, Sydney University
Cost: Free
Sydney University is also home to the Macleay Museum and University Art Gallery, and entry to both is free.
This year celebrates 50 years of LEGO in Australia and the LEGO Festival of Play is presenting many LEGO themed events around the country. Check their website here to see what's happening near you.
But all the vehicles, battles, towers, and bridges crafted by my sons pale into insignificance when considered beside the ultimate LEGO masterpiece currently on display at Sydney University's Nicholson Museum - a LEGO Colosseum, no less. Well, actually it's half the Colosseum (a cutaway version so you can see what's going on inside) with the Arch of Constantine thrown in for good measure.
The LEGO Colosseum was built by Ryan McNaught, a.k.a "The Brickman", one of only thirteen LEGO Certified Professionals in the world. I've often thought that Adam and Jamie from Mythbusters have the coolest jobs in the world, but spending your adult life playing with LEGO has got to come in a close second. Ryan used more than 200,000 LEGO bricks in the Colosseum's construction which, like Rome, wasn't built in a day. It took five weeks to complete - not quite so backbreaking as the original which was finished in approximately eight years.
The model is constructed so that half shows how the Colosseum looks today in its partially ruined state and the other half demonstrates how it would have looked in 80 AD, the year it was opened.
In the ancient half there are centurions and gladiators, bloodthirsty spectators attired in rather fetching togas, ravening and exotic animals, and even a chariot race. The only problem is that you can't tell whether the Emperor Titus is giving the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" signal because LEGO people unfortunately don't have thumbs. That minor design flaw can keep the kids guessing.
The model is the centrepiece of an exhibition about the famous Colosseum and life in ancient Rome, which also displays artefacts, coins and sculpture. What a brilliant way to bring history to life in a way that kids can understand and enjoy. The idea is they come for the LEGO and stay for the exhibition and that strategy has been working a treat. They can also check out the museum's fascinating ongoing exhibitions where the stuff of myth and legend comes to life: The Etruscans: A Classical Fantasy and Egyptians, gods and mummies: Travels with Herodotus .
Exhibition Details
When: Until 1 February 2013. Every weekday between 10am and 4.30pm and the first Saturday of every month from 12 noon to 4pm.
Where: Nicholson Museum, The Quadrangle, Sydney University
Cost: Free
Sydney University is also home to the Macleay Museum and University Art Gallery, and entry to both is free.
This year celebrates 50 years of LEGO in Australia and the LEGO Festival of Play is presenting many LEGO themed events around the country. Check their website here to see what's happening near you.
No comments:
Post a Comment