Katrina Brandon
Intricate: LEGO models are pieced together to bring famous figures to life.
By KATRINA BRANDON
MASTER builders came to Morwell last month, showcasing collections of LEGO works presented in brick form.
The LEGO exhibition was held at Kurnai College’s Bridle Road campus.
People could explore the world of LEGO, with themes ranging from Pokémon, Titanic, Star Wars and the Marvel universe.
There was a little something for everyone. Organisers Rachel and Graham Hughes, from Wollongong, shared pieces from all childhoods.
The LEGO brand was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen in Denmark. The name Lego is an abbreviation of the two Danish words “leg godt”, meaning “play well”. The Kirk Kristiansen family still runs the LEGO enterprise, which has spread across the globe for many generations.
“It (LEGO) has changed a lot over the years and has become more prominent,” Mr Hughes told the Express.
“LEGO is adaptable. If you want to build from the instructions, you can. If you just want to go crazy and build whatever is in your imagination, you can do that too. There’s no right or wrong; there’s just creativity.”
Mr Hughes explained that LEGO is designed to be a simple, basic playtime adventure and a creative exploration.
Since COVID, Mr Hughes said there has been a massive resurgence in adult-oriented LEGO, and that they are starting to create sets that, in the past, could have been $30 or so, to collections costing hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Some collections are aimed at millennials, and others at today’s youth.
“At the core of LEGO is creativity, and you could be 45-years-old and creative, or you can be five-years-old and be creative,” he said.
LEGO has also recently launched a program called LEGO Smart Play, which extends into the digital world, merging the two. LEGO Smart Play is an interactive, screen-free building system that brings physical creations to life with dynamic lights, audio, and motion-sensing reactions.
At the Morwell LEGO exhibition, people were able to browse the couple’s collection, with tables also available for building.
According to Ms Hughes, the collection on display took about four hours to set up.
Playwell Events is a touring exhibition showcasing custom brick-built LEGO models. The Hughes travel around regional communities in Victoria and New South Wales with their LEGO, sharing the fun along the way.
Mr Hughes said the event was well received, with the interactive LEGO mosaic build a distinct highlight among attendees.
Technic: LEGO has a range of brick types for all ages.
Recreate: LEGO sets take in a variety of pop culture, including Star Wars. Pictured is a Millennium Falcon set.
Delicate: LEGO 3D mosaics are among the most stunning created using the famous toy bricks.
