The Art of the Brick

  

Mona Lisa (Left) and Nike of Samothrace (Right) by Nathan Sawaya

This blog is intended to focus primarily on my journey as a writer.  And yet, sometimes, I encounter things in my everyday life that may seem to have little to do with writing, but actually have a huge influence on me as a writer.  I had one of those encounters last Saturday when I traveled to New York City to see The Art of the Brick at Discovery Times Square.

The Kiss

The Art of the Brick is an art exhibition featuring the work of renowned Lego artist, Nathan Sawaya.  Sawaya works exclusively in Legos, recreating some of the world's finest masterpieces in nothing more than molded plastic.  In addition to re-imagining the works of other artists, he also creates his own original works that focus on all facets of the human condition.  

When you enter the first gallery, you are immediately greeted by a three dimensional, life-sized rendering of The Kiss by Gustav Klimt.  It's an absolutely stunning piece and a perfect way to start an exhibition that is more high art than juvenile pastime.  That first gallery also contains Sawaya's renditions of DaVinici's Mona Lisa, Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, and Munch's The Scream of Nature, popularly known as The Scream.  The second gallery showcases a collection of large-scale sculptures, including Sawaya's version of the Nike of Samothrace and an absolutely astounding full-sized replica of one of the stone heads from Easter Island.  Standing in front of the massive Lego sculpture, it is impossible not to feel a sense of awe and childlike wonderment.  It is something I will not soon forget.

Beyord the initial galleries which contain Sawaya's renditions of high art, the visitor is treated to Sawaya's original works.  Yellow Man, his signature piece, is quite stunning in real life.  But it is his smaller scale pieces that have the most personal impact.  Step Ladder, for instance, which depicts a person climbing a ladder that originates from within his own body is particularly inspiring.  It is meant to show how every person creates his or her own life from within.  We are all our own ladder upward.  The sentiment may be simple, kitchy even, but it is effective.  And leaves the viewer with a feeling of joyful empowerment.

Step Ladder

No Hands (Left), Yellow Man (Center), and Self Portrait (Right)

What, you may wonder, does any of this have to do with writing.  At the beginning of the exhibit, before being ushered into the galleries, guests are led into a room with a projection screen on which they are shown a short video introducing the artist and his work.  And, from the first moment that Sawaya appears on screen, it is obvious that he not only has a passion for what he does, but that it also brings him immense joy.  In the video, he discusses the evolution of his career as an artist.  He started out as a lawyer and, needing a creative outlet, would come home at the end of the day and play with Legos.  His creations were so good, in fact, that people soon started asking him for commissioned work.  Eventually, he became so successful that he left the law and became a full time artist.  It is that story that I personally find so inspiring.  I have spent far too much of my life living by other people's rules and ignoring the things that make me happy.  Writing makes me happy.  It may not make me a lot of money (or any money, for that matter), but it brings me joy and it brings joy to other people.  What greater fulfilment is there than that?

Of course, someone must pay the bills, but there has to be a better way for a creative person to support themself than suffering in a profession that offers no creative outlet.  It has become my personal quest to figure out what that better way is.  Sawaya figured it out.  He followed his bliss and it changed his life in unimaginable ways.  I am hoping that, someday soon, I will find the key to doing what I love, and only what I love, for the rest of my life.

Easter Island Statue