Lego Classicist

Lego Classicist Logo

Lego Classicist is social media page which is dedicated to recreating classicists in Lego. Started up by Liam D. Jensen (Independent Historical Archivist) takes a interesting approach to history and Lego. 

Although every thing has a interesting beginnings. Lego Classicist started  up by  completely accident. During Liam's holiday break from work, he happened to be look online for Lego and stumbled across a number of figure parts that reminded him of Associate Professor Tom Hillard, an academic and an old family friend. He purchased the parts, thinking it would make a great gift.

The first Lego Classicist,

A/Prof. Tom Hillard.

Liam uploaded a photo of the figure on his personal Facebook account. The post became popular and found it's way across Australia.

After making more Lego figures for other academics, the hobby jumped started Lego Classicists.

The Lego Classicist family grow and now includes former Lego Senior Curator at Nicholson Museum Michael Turner (responsible for three Lego models displayed at the Nicholson Museum), Lego Prof. Wallace-Hadrill (Roman historian, archaeologist and TV presenter), Lego Dr. Kara Cooney (world renowned Egyptologist and presenter), Lego Sir Charles Nicholson (founder of the Nicholson Museum, University of Sydney) and Lego Prof. Christopher Smith (Director of the British School at Rome). 

Former Lego Senior
Curator at
Nicholson Museum,

Michael Turner

"The goal of these Lego Classicists figures is more metaphorical art than literally correct visual truth... so then the real challenge is not to make them 'look' like the person, but how to make them 'feel' like the person"

- L.D. Jensen

Every Lego figure made by Lego Classicistic are gifted to the people they portray and are never produced for commercial profit because every single figure to be unique and special to the person who are honoured in Lego Classicists. 

To qualify as an Lego Classicists, you need to come under the three categorise: 

Lego Sir Charles Nicholson

founder of the

Nicholson Museum

Lego Classicist

Anyone who deals with any other serious study of the ancient world of any other civilization across the world, such as Egyptology.

These include academic, scholar, archivist, librarian or historian who works in the study of classics (the ancient worlds of Greece & Rome, traditional classics) can become a Lego Classicist.
 

Honorary Lego Classicist

Anyone who works in the discipline of history, including modern history, who is promoting the greater use of the recording and use of history.

Anyone, including people outside the discipline of ancient & modern history, who has shown great interest in, or provided a significant new perspective to, the study or understanding of ancient history.

Me in Lego

by Lego Classicist

Honourable Mention Lego Classicist

Anyone who has had a connection to the work of ancient world study and engagement, even when their work is seemingly unconnected, but without whose help it would not be possible.

Lego Classicist reminds me a lot of myself, with my Lego historic people posts and photographs. I completely respect Liam for providing Lego figures for free in honour of those in the cultural sector.

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Lego Architecture - The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is the most iconic structure in Paris, France. Named after the engineer, Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. 

In 1889 was the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution and Paris hosted a World's Fair to mark the occasion. Three years before, there was a competition to get a centrepiece for the exhibition. Gustave's plan for 985-foot tower won.   

The tower was a success with the public. By the end of the 1889 World's Fair, there had been nearly two million visitors. However, Eiffel only had a permit for twenty years; it was due to be dismantled in 1909, as the ownership reverted back to the city. The city was going to take it down, but Eiffel argued that the structure was valuable to communication and scientific purposes. '...not only the art of the modern engineer, but also the century of industry and science in which we are living' - Gustave Eiffel. After the short campaign, it was allowed to remain. 

Gustave Eiffel 

1832-1923

Eiffel installed a meteorology lab on the third floor and later constructed a wind tunnel at the foot of the tower. He carried out thousands of tests there and saw many others uses the tower to study meteorology, astronomy and physics.

The tower was home to the original wireless telegraphy which secured it's future. The top of the tower has been modified to a growing number of antennas. Now its now home to over 120 antennas plus a television mast making the tower 1,063 feet taller. 

Today the Eiffel Tower remains one of the most recognizable structures in the world, seeing estimated seven million people through the doors each year. 

The building of the Eiffel Tower

The Art of the Brick - A Life in LEGO by Nathan Sawaya - Book Review.

The Art of the Brick -

A life of Lego by Nathan Sawaya

Now I do have to admit the biggest sin of them all, I missed my chance to go and see the amazing The Art of the Brick exhibit when it was in London. I regret not going. After seeing on-line images and reading this book by the artist Nathan Sawaya, just makes me feel worst about it. With a growing interest and artist fascination with the simple brick; the art world has grown bigger and bigger with more artist coming out of the wood work.

Now in my opinion Nathan is the best Lego Sculpture artist I have ever seen. Using only a simple brick to create these beautiful sculptures. From up close the sculpture is blocky and pixilated but from a far the piece seems smooth and realistic. Allowing the artwork to change perspective of the item from different distances.

Nathan creates a miscellaneous types of sculptures. Some a recreations of day-to-day items (for example, apples a dog), artworks (for example, The Kiss by Gustav Klimt) and a number of unusual modern art human sculptures (for example, Yellow). Some of these sculptures are actually featured in the book.

Looking at the book itself, is a high quality book. The book is full of amazing images of each sculpture which is described on every page. The great thing about this book, is how its written by the artist himself; rather than a critic who describes what he thinks of each art work depicted. Doing the book this way allows the reader to get a glimpse in the world of the artist and the inspiration behind each piece. Giving you, the reader, a personal perspective and the true idea behind the art, rather a false interpretation of someone else.

MOC inspired by

Nathan Sawaya

Okay you might be saying 'why don't you like art critics opinions?' That's not what I am trying to say, they all have valid opinions and art is there to be interpreted. Each view of a piece of art will be in fact different and comes from how the viewer feels about the art work in question. Art is there to be bring out those emotions and ideas. Although it can be far more interesting to learn the inspiration of the artist and their intention of the piece itself. For example, one may look at Yellow a say, it about a broken heart. The gapping whole of what was once there when they were loved. Which is completely valid; although Nathan, the artist, will say its a person opening their true self to the world without fear and how this has shown in his own life experiences. So the explanation by the artist can be more valuable than others as it gives you more of an insight.

Well then would I suggest to you to get this book? Yes, would be the simple answer. If you are a fun of Lego and/or art then don't hesitate to get this book. This book is valuable as it give you a insight into the world of the artist, Nathan Sawaya and his fantastic pieces of art he loves to create. Getting this book will be the most fascinating thing you will do today.

The Lego Architect Book Review.

The Lego Architect

by Tom Alphin

Ever since the creation of the plastic brick in 1949, building creation and recreations out of the interlocking brick system has fascinated fans for generation. So it's not surprising it has branched out to architecture. Seeing many beautiful creations of buildings using many interesting techniques of Lego building to recreate these iconic sites. With this interest saw the introduction of the product series by Lego with Lego Architecture in 2008 and onwards.

This book by Tom Alphin, takes a look at the many different types and techniques of architecture and Lego creations. In each is a reasonable length of description on the history and definition of the type of architecture which is used. The interesting aspect of the book is the inclusion of building tips to help with creating your own model. I have never personally seen this in any Lego book before and I do wish to see more of it in more variety of Lego subjects. 

The Prairie House model

After the definition a number of amazing Lego model recreations by other great Lego builders which relate to this type of architecture that's mentioned.

After this there is a section to build your own little model as Tom Alphin has designed some great small Lego instructions to follow. Unusually the models you can create only uses one colour, white. It is interesting why he may have used a single and plain colour; as he might have been referring to architect design models which are normally used by architects to show and display their designs before it is built. 

The uses of the white can also be very helpful on obtaining the parts you need to build the models as a great source of this would be the Lego Architecture Studio set. However, not all the parts you need are in the set. Although using the Studio is most likely the easiest option you will still need to get a few additional pieces especially if you wish to make all of the models in the book. If you wish to do this I would advise to get more than one Lego Architecture Studio set.

The Art Deco

Movie Theatre model

Overall the book is interesting and full of information and Lego ideas to think about. The book is a beautiful addition to your bookshelf and a interesting read to past the time with. If you like the Lego Architecture series, architecture or architectural history. Worth a buy. 

World War 1 Lego/3D Printed book review

World War 1 
by Minifig Battlefields

I have been looking forward to a Lego book about Great War. I was hoping for great photos, amazing builds and interesting content. However with this book by Minifig Battlefields, I wasn't so happy about. I would love to say a lot of good things about this book but I can't, sadly.

The most interesting thing about this Lego book is how it uses 3D printing and Lego to illustrate the history. This isn't a bad thing but there isn't much Lego to be really seen in the entity of the book, apart from the minifigures. I understand that the company mainly sells and uses 3D printed, WW1 military Lego parts and this is another branch of the same thing. However, this gives the book a catalog feel to it, a way of advertising their products. Making the book not much of a Lego one.

The information is the only real good thing about this small book. Its interesting and accurate, and goes through all aspects of the war from the famous of battles, to the uniforms and weaponry each country during it. 

Page layout.

Overall the thing which destroys the entire book is the photos. Most or not all are green screened and badly photo-shopped creating what could have been a great image to something which could have been done better. The worst thing is, a few of the images are ever out of focus or been enlarged making it extremely pixilated. 

Its a shame how a standing idea of the book was great the execution of the book could have been so much better and more perfect in the way it was presented.    

Lego Minifigure Year by Year - A Visual History Book REVIEW!

Lego Minifigure Year by Year
by DK

With this very large book, official Lego book by DK, you receive three exclusive minifigures, a plain Townsperson, Stormtrooper and a Robber. The minifigures aren't really that special, I wouldn't advice anyone getting the book just for the minifigures alone. They wouldn't be worth it. Although the book is, as long as you have a huge interest in Lego minifigure. 

You can learn the history of the Lego minifig, how they are made and how they have evolved to the little yellow figures we know and love today. As it shows in the name of the book it goes through each minifigure year by year. Telling you different information about each one. It even touches on the elements that makes up each minifig, such as, the different hats and hairpieces they may use.

Exclusive Minifigures, 
Townsperson, Stormtrooper 
& Robber     

Now if you aren't a huge Lego fan then I wouldn't suggest reading this, as this book is more for a Lego enthusiast and collector as it isn't a book for a light read. This book would be extremely useful for anyone who collects minifigs and wants to know information about their collection or to see which ones they might not have. 

Revolution! The brick chronicle of the American Revolution and the inspiring fight for liberty and equality that shook the world - BOOK REVIEW

Revolution is a history book by Brendan Powell Smith, which looks at the both the American and French revolution. Published in 2014. You can purchase a copy from Amazon. 

Revolution! The brick chronicle of the
American Revolution and
the inspiring fight for Liberty
and equality that shook the World.

Brendan is a Lego photographer, who has undertaken many different Lego projects such as the Brick Bible, where he has done a similar thing with his history books but also famous scenes from the Bible. Such as Adam and Eve and the Last Supper. 

Brendan's Brick Bible push started his new historic projects including the Assassination! and Revolution!; hopeful there will be even more of this calibre in the near future.

A scene of a Continental army massacre.

Looking at Revolution, I can see how much in approvement Brendan has made from his previous book, Assassination. Using the same methods of putting the events across to the read, with step by step scenes along side the facts. Although, the book seems to be divided in quality and realism. As I have said before in may last review of Assassination, he has made history seem more palatable but he somehow makes a lot of his work as realistic as possible, no matter how shocking or gory he has made it work in the materials he has available, Lego.

George Washington,
Commander-in-Chief
of the Continental army. 

The construction of some characters do sometimes spoil the amazing representation of history using Lego. He tries to recreate the fashion of the time of long stocks and high boots. His portail of this makes them look like they are short and standing on stilts to make them taller. Shown here with Washington. This seems to be very unnecessary creativeness but sadly doesn't look too good as the rest of the illustrations throughout the book.

Ichabod Alden being killed
by Iroquois outside
a fort at Cherry Valley.

It is also a shame that some of the scenes do look like that Brendan has used photo shopped for things that were hard to recreate out of Lego. Such as a scene of Ichabod Alden being killed with a tomahawk. Which is a shame as it destroys the idea of having all of it naturally made up of Lego. Although it does make it realistic.

On a happier note, in this book I could not find any typos, in comparison to in Assassination. Which is a great improvement.

Invasion of Quebec
by General John Burgoyne.

In Revolution, you will be able to see more hat and hair creations which make the scene so much more realistic. This technique can be seen in the recently released LEGO MOVIE. This is been portrayed in this book contrast to Brendan's other creations. Although this is a good thing, I have seen constantly inconsistency in the idea as well as the result of paint or colouring of the back of the heads to seem like there is hair. For example, the invasion of Quebec, General John Burgoyne has Lego hair and hat but the captured Continental soldiers have coloured in hair. Even though these are detailed in doing so, it doesn't look great with the inconsistence of Lego hair.

Brendan Powell Smith,
the Author of Revolution
and Brick Books. 

Moving past the mistakes and faults of the book, it is a great historic book to read and flick through. Has looked at both sides of the events of the revolutions which show bad and good events. Allowing the reader to gain all the facts to give their own judgement on the facts that are given to them. Making the book in some respects un-biased, which is rare in writing about history and past events. Most historians and writers seem to lavish themselves in putting their own point across but it seems that Brendan has skipped and ignored the idea. This makes a great read for history and Lego fans alike.

I can't wait to see if Brendan Smith publishes anymore books because I will love to read them and enjoy.

History of LEGO

The long story of one of the biggest toy companies started in 1916 when Ole Kirk Christiansen begun a woodworking business in Billund, Denmark. He made wooden toys at first, and in the 1930s he named it "LEGO" which derived from two Danish words "leg godt", meaning "play well".

In 1947 the company moved into the plastics, as that it was cheaper and quicker to make. Creating over 200 different plastic and wooden toys. In 1949, these included plastic interlocking bricks were introduced as "Automatic Binding Bricks". Later became known as the "LEGO Bricks" in 1953.

These bricks are far from the bricks we know and love today, but in 1954, Ole Kirk's son, Godtfred, had an addition of doors and windows, LEGO Bricks almost became limitless in creative building possibilities. 

In 1958, the LEGO Bricks took a design change to include a stud-and-tube interlocking system. This new system was the most important discovery as they lock into place and remain there. These bricks are in-fact almost recognizable to the one LEGO sells today. In this same year Ole Kirk died, so the business was passed to Godtfred. 

In 1960, Godtfred decided to stop the wooden toy production after a fire in a warehouse, which destroyed much of the remaining stock. Now mainly looking at the plastic brick and the huge potential they had in future years. Now the company had comprised over than 400 employees and poised to enter the US, Canada and Italy. 

Within a few years, it spread to other countries. By 1966, the toys were in 42 countries. Within this year the first LEGO electric train was introduced, running on a motor with four and half volts. 

In 1968, LEGOLAND Park was opened, in Billund, Denmark. Within the first day to the public it received 3,000 visitors and continuing to for the rest of the year, reviving about 625,000 visitors.

By the 70s LEGO produced many different themed sets, from spaceships to Castles, many of them had been incorporated with motors, magnet and sensors. In 1977, LEGO DUPLO - larger bricks for younger children, which was followed by miniature figurines (Minifigs) the next year. These are very recognizable from the minifigs that we see today in sets and in the LEGO landscapes. 

LEGO 6703 Space Minifigures 

from the 1988.

In 1995, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen passed away. Now owned by his son Kjeld Kirk Christiansen. As technology is always changing so does LEGO. In 1996, www.lego.com was launched. Once the CD-ROM came into use children could play computer games, such as LEGO chess that came out in 1998. As the mind set for children moved to more robotics, LEGO produced, LEGO MINDSTORM and LEGO TECHNIC that same year. 

Over years to come many new LEGOLAND Parks put up around the globe and the ideas for LEGO set and models still keep coming.

The LEGO flames has not died down, even today they have a huge fan base and still growing. Using new ideas to keep everyone of every gender and age enjoying the LEGO spirit.

Assassination! The brick chronicle of attempts on the lives of twelve US Presidents. BOOK REVIEW!!!

Assassination is a history book by Brendan Powell Smith, who looks at the many attempts on twelve different US Presidents throughout history. Published in 2013. Which you can purchase a copy on Amazon 

Assassination! The Brick chronicle 
of attempts on the lives of 
twelve US Presidents.

Brendan is a lego photographer, who has undertaken many different Lego projects such as the Brick Bible, where he has done a similar thing with his history books but with famous scenes from the Bible. Such as Adam and Eve and the Last Supper. 

Brendan's Brick Bible push started his new historic projects including the Assassination! and Revolution!; hopeful there will even more in the near future.

JFK being shot by Oswald in 1963

With the Assassination book he has laid out it out to have step by step stages and scene of the event that have unfolded. Giving you the information as well as a photos of each scene that is described in Lego. He has made history seem more palatable but he some how makes a lot of his work as realistic as possible, no matter how shocking or gory he has made it work in the materials he has available, Lego. 

Although in most cases the scenes are amazingly constructed but in small cases there is some room for improvement which looks like he might have achieved in the next book - Revolution!

John Booth Shooting 
Abraham Lincoln
in 1865 at Ford's Theatre.

It is such a shame that some of the scenes do look like that Brendan has used photoshopped for things that were hard to recreate out of Lego. Such as the smock of the gun when John Booth, after shooting Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Which is a shame as it destroys the idea of having all of it naturally made up of Lego.

There could have been better attention given to the typos which should have been picked up before publishing. For example he meant to put "Schrank", who attempted to assassinated Theodore Roosevelt but spelt his name as "Shrank". This is quite obviously a typo because he uses the correct spelling throughout the rest of the chapter that uses Schrank's story.

As a dyslexic I can understand some of these mistakes but to get this far in production of the book seems silly, ignorant of the publishers, printers and sorry, the author. 

Brendan Powell Smith, 
the author of Assassination 
and other Brick Books.

Moving past the mistakes and faults of the book, it is a great historic book to read and flick through. Brendan has looked at the events from many angles, such as looking at the background of the assassins and looking at the facts rather than casting judgement upon them. This allows the reader to think for themselves to bring their own thoughts about them. Making the book in some respects un-biased, which is rare in writing about history and past events. Most historians and writers seem to lavish themselves in putting their own point across but it seems that Brendan has skipped and ignored the idea. Which makes it a great read for history and Lego fans worldwide. 

I can't wait to read his next book, which I will post my own judgement upon soon. 

Museum Ducks

Museum Ducks is a fellow museum blog on Twitter. If you are Quakers about museums and rubber ducks then join the photography fun. Then take a look... twitter.com/DucksMuseum

Museum Ducks Logo.

Museum Ducks uses the museum collectible duck to have adventures around museums. Sort of similar to Lego Museums in some respects. Using an object to travel around museums and galleries with taking photos.

These are just a selection of museum ducks that are used on the museum blog:

Caveman an old museum duck from the British Museum.

Egyptian from the British Museum.

Roman from the British Museum.

Viking from the British Museum.

William Shakespeare another old duck from the British Museum but now you can find in some libraries such as the Guildhall Library in London

Henry VIII from the Mary Rose Museum.

Star Wars Day - May the 4th be with you

We at the Lego Museums love Star Wars and Lego, strangely enough. So we wanted to join everyone else with this fun day dedicated to Star Wars. We asked people to send in photos of their Lego Star Wars to celebrate and they did not disappoint with the response. Here are some:

"May the 4th" by Deanne via Twitter.

"The Duel" by Fiori via Twitter.

"These are not the droids you are looking for" by Top Trump Fans via Twitter.

Here are some of Lego Museums own photos:

Will is a Star Wars Fan.

Will with a load of his Star Wars friends.

Will being chased by a Gamorrean.

So these are the droids you are looking for.

Will caching up with R2D2 and C3PO.

Come on Han smile for me.

Thank you to all who sent in their photos and May The 4th Be With You.