PBS documentary on LEGO artists

In their latest episode the PBS series, Off Book features LEGO art and 3 very different brick artists who are using LEGO bricks as a medium to express their art.  Their names should be familiar to you: Sean Kenney, Alex Kobbs, and Nathan Sawaya. Enjoy the short clip. 🙂

LEGO blocks are one of the most beloved toys in the world, playing a role in many a person’s childhood. But for some creators, LEGO has evolved from toy to art form. In this episode, we talk to three LEGO artists who have made beautiful mosaics, amazing stop-motion videos, thoughtful sculptures, and have turned these tiny building blocks into a true artistic medium.

Featuring:
Sean Kenney
Alex Kobbs
Nathan Sawaya

Music by:
Pixelord – http://soundcloud.com/pixelord
Project Divinity – http://www.jamendo.com/en/artist/2741/project-divinity
Da Robotz – http://soundcloud.com/da-robotz
Yusuke Tsutsumi – http://soundcloud.com/yusuke-tsutsumi
Tryad – http://www.jamendo.com/en/artist/104/tryad

Produced by Kornhaber Brown: http://www.kornhaberbrown.com

LEGO Disney store re-opens

I spent one of my happiest holidays in Disney World, so looking at the pics gave me a good vibe. Wish I can go and see the new store, but I’ll have to make do with some pics unfortunately…

The Lego Imagination Center in Downtown Disney has quietly reopened after closing in February and temporarily relocating to Island Charter’s former location. One of the original retailers at Downtown Disney that opened in 2001, the store was renovated and now reflects much more Disney flavor, especially outside. “As this store is over 10 years old, we felt it was time for a complete refresh and redesign,” said Amanda Santoro, spokeswoman at Lego Systems Inc.

The changes include:

• New Disney-themed outdoor scenes featuring characters such as Buzz Lightyear and Woody with RC; Belle in minifigure style, the Beast, Lumiere and Cogsworth; and Prince Phillip in minifigure style, his horse Samson, and Maleficent as a dragon.
• Indoor suspended scene featuring Aladdin and Jasmine in minifigure style, the Genie and the magic carpet.
• A relocated and bigger Pick a Brick wall.
• A new upper level with play areas.
• A new outside play area with a racing feature.
• Digital Box, an interactive kiosk that enables shoppers to see an assembled product on a screen.

The store will hold grand reopening events on Memorial Day weekend. “We’re doing a large scale community build – building the Lego Store mascot Brickley – and Disney is fully involved in the planning,” Santoro said.

More here: http://retail.ocregister.com/2012/05/16/lego-store-shows-off-remodel-at-downtown-disney/71734/

And here: http://ocresort.ocregister.com/2012/05/16/remodeled-lego-store-reopens-at-downtown-disney/112968/

LEGO wigs by Elroy Klee

If you have not seen the recent rush of hi-res new set pics, do so asap!  Some are great, some so-so, but it’s always fun to see the upcoming sets right?

I haven’t seen any of the major LEGO sites reporting these wigs tho, so here they are for your visual pleasure. No idea what the ad is about tho, does anyone know?

concept & art direction: elroy klee
photography: niki kits-polman & ebo fraterman
make-up: esther dijkman
assistant: augiaz pattipeilohy

http://elroyklee.com/Mindplay-bricks-on-me

UCS 10225 R2-D2 Designer Video

Altho TLG tried to pull it back, they should realize by now that it’s not easy to ‘unrelease’ stuff on the internet.  This video is a bit different from the usual ones. Watch to understand…

“Come with us as we take an exclusive look at the never before seen 10225 R2-D2™, the latest exclusive LEGO® Star Wars™ set! We’ll talk with Mike and Kurt, the talented LEGO® designers who brought this awesome model to life in LEGO® bricks. The R2-D2 set will be available directly through LEGO® beginning in May 2012 via shop.LEGO.com and at LEGO® Stores. Visit shop.LEGO.com for more details on this amazing model!

Presenting the Ultimate Collector Series R2-D2™ — the best-loved droid in the Star Wars galaxy!

Presenting the iconic R2-D2 as you’ve never seen him before! Everyone’s favorite droid from the Star Wars galaxy is now part of the Ultimate Collector Series and features fantastic detailing, such as retractable third leg, front panels that open to reveal a universal computer interface arm and a circular saw, rotating head and 2 fold-out front spacecraft linkage control arms. With the included fact plaque and R2-D2 minifigure, this diminutive model is the perfect addition to your LEGO® Star Wars™ collection!

• Ultimate Collector Series R2-D2™!
• Features retractable third leg!
• Front panels open to reveal a universal computer interface arm and circular saw!
• Features realistic rotating head!
• R2-D2 features 2 fold-out front spacecraft linkage control arms!
• Includes fact plaque and R2-D2 minifigure!
• Measures over 12″ (31 cm) high and 7″ (18 cm) wide!”

Alrighty, now awaiting the haunted house that was leaked earlier.

Building an iMac & NetDevil trims LEGO Universe team

Building an iMac

My bf asked me recently again if I want a Macbook… so when I saw this LEGO iMac by Chris “Powerpig” McVeigh, of course I felt like blogging about it.

What do you think? If you like it, Chris has very kindly shared the Lego Digital Designer model on his site that apparently works out to be US$100 if you get all the parts from PAB. 

And the answer is ‘no’.  I did get my current toy not too long ago, and am still fairly happy with it.  Anyone already using a Macbook/Macbook Pro/Air?  Love it/hate it? Pros & cons?

Via: http://www.complex.com/tech/2011/02/learn-how-to-build-your-own-lego-imac 

NetDevil trims LEGO Universe team

The other piece of news that caught my eye is that NetDevil has retrenched most of the LEGO Universe team.  While I don’t play MMO/LEGO Universe, some of you long time readers may remember my previous post about the great NetDevil office (nice chairs and loads of LEGO everywhere)? 

Anyway I wonder what will happen to the LEGO Universe…

And from what was reported, it’s a horrid way to inform people that they have been laid off.  Hope at least that they got good packages.  😦 

Via: http://www.strategyinformer.com/news/11156/netdevil-left-with-very-small-team

Stuff I’ve Been Reading & Tweaks to the Blog

A bit of lull now that most of the 2011 sets are known… what’s left?  There’s the rumoured 2011 modular building that we are all waiting for of course (which I’ve heard would be 10218 Pet Shop), and the TRU exclusives, 2011 winter theme set, 2011 large scale set (would it be the Sydney Opera House?), some of the Cars sets, and… hmm… would there be a Star Wars UCS set as well?  In any case, my wallet is going to sustain heavy damage in the next few months….

So just some bits of stuff I’ve read today which you may find interesting:

• The Ugly Duckling’s Cygnet shared the Alien Conquest sets video tour by Master Model Builder Erik Varzegi, uploaded by Joe Meno of BrickJournal.
• Via songwm of S0937 forum, I found this discussion of LEGO set prototypes on Classic Castle. 

I’ve also made some tweaks to the blog… some new links to blogs I read on the right, and the biggest change is the Flickr feed… I’ve changed it to the MOCs I like on Flickr instead (the link to Flickr’s LEGO group can now be found under ‘communities’).  

One last thing, I was just thinking about whether I am supposed to respond to all comments, and/or how timely I am supposed to respond, etc when I saw this post on comment etiquette by the WordPress team.  Hmm, doesn’t actually answer my question, so my decision is… to procrastinate till I’m in a good mood… which may take a while with all the work stress, but I think I will get there, eventually. 😛

Happy Valentines Day

Saw this pic of LEGO Love  by Larry Lars that made me feel like blogging about Valentines Day creations.  Unfortunately, couldn’t find other love themed creations that I like! 😦

Hope everyone had a nice day!  Happy Valentines Day!