Get ready, LEGO® lovers of all ages! The Franklin Institute is thrilled to present THE ART OF THE BRICK, the world's largest display of LEGO® art. Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, this is one adventure you won’t want to miss!
This captivating exhibition, available through September 2, 2024, showcases the genius of contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya, whose impressive collection of over 100 pieces transforms the humble LEGO brick into breathtaking works of art.
THE ART OF THE BRICK features several never-before-seen creations in Philadelphia, including a custom piece by Sawaya dedicated to the City of Brotherly Love. But that's not all—the exhibition also boasts a massive 9,000-square-foot interactive brick play space, exclusive to The Franklin Institute, making it a must-visit for families and LEGO enthusiasts alike.
One of the standout features of this year's exhibit is PERNiCiEM: The Endangered Species Connection. This innovative multimedia collaboration between Sawaya and award-winning photographer Dean West aims to raise awareness about the urgent issue of extinction. The collection includes 13 large-scale sculptures of endangered animals, meticulously crafted from LEGO bricks. Imagine gazing upon a life-sized humpback whale, polar bear, or lowland gorilla, each paired with a stunning cinematic image of their natural habitat. Sawaya and West traveled the globe to capture these habitats, adding an extra layer of authenticity and emotion to the pieces.
"The PERNiCiEM collection is a creative and powerful way to illustrate the urgent issue of extinction," explained Sawaya. "We traveled the globe to find different locations where these actual endangered species would be in their natural environment, but we wanted to use the LEGO brick versions to convey the message that they are endangered, and we need to act."
In addition to the PERNiCiEM collection, visitors will experience reimagined versions of famous artworks, such as Basquiat’s Pez Dispenser, Frida Kahlo’s The Frame, and Hilma af Klint’s The Swan No. 17. You'll also see Decisions, a gravity-defying piece made from an astounding 112,306 bricks, making it Sawaya’s largest creation to date.
For pop culture fans, the iconic Yellow sculpture—a life-size figure of a man ripping his chest open with thousands of yellow LEGO bricks cascading from the cavity—will be on display. And who could resist walking under a 20-foot-long T-Rex dinosaur skeleton made entirely of LEGO bricks, staring up at its massive, yet playful, LEGO skull?
But the fun doesn’t stop with admiring these masterpieces. Upon exiting the exhibit, guests are invited into a sprawling 9,000-square-foot brick play space filled with thousands of LEGO bricks across five distinct stations. Here, creativity reigns supreme as visitors of all ages can construct their own designs or participate in various brick-building activities. For younger builders, a designated area with LEGO® DUPLO® sets ensures that everyone can join in the fun.
THE ART OF THE BRICK is not just an exhibit; it’s an experience that melds art, math, science, and engineering. Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The Franklin Institute, sums it up perfectly: "The ART OF THE BRICK is a remarkable exhibit that blends art, math, science, and engineering, showcasing the interdisciplinary nature of creativity. Philadelphia is an art and science city, and we are thrilled to bring this extraordinary exhibition back to the region and our community."
Whether you're a LEGO fanatic, an art lover, or just looking for a unique family outing, THE ART OF THE BRICK at The Franklin Institute is the place to be. Be prepared to be amazed by the magic of LEGO art! Tickets are timed and dated. Advance ticket purchase is recommended. www.fi.edu.
"A remarkable exhibit that blends art, math, science, and engineering."