A different type of exhibition is set to open in London in March 2017. London’s South Bank will be the temporary home of the world-famous exhibition ‘The Art of the Brick: DC Superheroes’, which features more than 70 large sculptures, each made out of LEGO.
Created by US artist Nathan Sawaya, the new exhibition features sculptures inspired by some of the most popular heroes and villains from DC comic books. Described as one of the ten must-see exhibitions in the world by CNN, the exhibition has been created by using more than two million LEGO bricks.
The timing of the exhibition seems perfect, with several DC blockbusters being released next year, including Wonder Woman in June and the Justice League in November. This exhibition is sure to be popular during the run-up to these releases, especially following the success of Sawaya’s previous exhibitions.
Formerly a corporate lawyer, Sawaya gave up his day job to pursue his childhood love of building things. He has since become a full-time artist, which sees him making sculptures out of a number of different mediums, although his work with LEGO is what really put him on the map.
“I use LEGO bricks as my medium because I enjoy seeing people’s reactions to artwork created from something with which they are familiar”, explains Sawaya. “Everyone can relate to it since it is a toy that many children have at home. I want to elevate this simple plaything to a place it has never been before. I also appreciate the cleanliness of the medium. The right angles. The distinct lines. As so often in life, it is a matter of perspective. Up close, the shape of the brick is distinctive. But from a distance, those right angles and distinct lines change to curves.”
As well as instantly recognisable figures such as Batman and Superman – which is suspended from the ceiling as though flying – the exhibition also includes other breathtaking figures. A T-rex skeleton made from more than 80,000 LEGO bricks will be on display, as well as some LEGO versions of famous artworks, including Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and the Venus de Milo.
Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to get involved with the exhibition as there will be an Interactive Zone. Here, visitors will be able to build their own LEGO sculptures, although not to the same scale as Sawaya.
Pre-sale tickets for the exhibition are now available, with the show set to be open from March 1st to September 4th next year.