Little Big Art - Andy Morris

Little Big Art

Andy Morris takes his inspiration from previous art pieces and makes it his own by adding a LEGO twist to them. Using LEGO and Pop Art as his medium, he creates a unique way of seeing modern art. 

You might be thinking that all his work is going to be typically similar to other LEGO artists who create large sculptures using bricks, like Nathan Sawaya. You might be disappointed to learn that's not what he does, but you won't be disappointed for long. Using photography, sculpturing and LEGO models, Morris beautifully recreates famous works of are using the simple brick.

Andy Warhol
1928-1987

Morris' first ever project was the Artist Series. This is a collection of images that depicts famous artist and their work represented in LEGO recreating them as real and true as possible. Staying on the same idea of recreating artist in LEGO, Morris constructed the infamous party animal Pop Artist, Andy Warhol, and even though the minifig is simple it is a good and effective representation of the artist. Accompanying the minifig is a exclusively printed Marilyn Monroe tile that which represents one of Warhol's most famous pieces.  

Branching from this range, Morris has created three LEGO models, which are to represent modern art exhibits such as, The Tank - Damien Hirst's Shark in Formaldehyde; or The Gallery in which you can choose the art pieces that go on display. These include Damien Hirst's spots, Piet Mondrian's composition No.III with red, yellow and blue and Andy Warhol's Money. With each model you know you are going to get a lot of fun from building and displaying your own art, showing it to your friends and family.

Human-Size Marilyn tile.

Morris has also probably made every child (or adult's) dream of being a minifig a reality with his Human-Size LEGO range. You can hold life-size LEGO tiles with his Marilyn & Money tiles that are again inspired by the work of Warhol. He then goes a step further with his largest artwork with Spots and Money Wall pieces. The Spots being based spots on Damien Hirst infamous work, and the Money by Andy Warhol. 

Not all of Morris' work is inspired by previous artworks, with his newest work, for example, Human-Size LEGO Ice Creams, he takes the artificial plastic toy ice cream and makes it seem real by representing it as melting in the hot sun. In my opinion they almost bring a new meaning to realism.

Roo

If that's not enough for you? Morris has immortalized himself in The Travels of Roo. Roo is a Lego minifig based on a self portrait of himself. Taking Roo on his travels across the globe, taking photos of him in-front of many different iconic locations in many countries, from New York in the US to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. #thetravelsofroo 

Andy Morris is a unique and brilliant artist. He takes inspiration from the greats and in the process makes him one one of them. 

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Medieval Lego History book REVIEW!

Medieval Lego by Greyson.

Medieval Lego by Greyson Beights is one of the best Historic books which is illustrated with Lego I have ever read. The whole book inside and out just shows high quality in the information and materials. 

Greyson and with the help of Medievalist Scholars, created a book that looks at the overview of important events which made  the Medieval world as a whole. You'll will be able to learn about the Battle of Hastings, the signing of the Magna Carta and other great events. 

Greyson gives us a nice balance of Lego Photography and information, which you don't necessarily see in a lot Historic Lego books. Most of the time Historic Lego books give you a lot of photos with so little information accompanying them. This book however gives you a equal display of both.
  

Even the price seems generous for such a great  and small book. The only thing bad, that I can think of, is there isn't enough of it. Give me more! 

The photos themselves are great, everything you see is done in shot, as it seems there was no use of Photoshop at all. Oh and the builds that make up the scenery are amazing. Beautifully designed and built. 

Magna Carta 1215.

If you're a Lego purist then you would be happy to hear that everything in this book is Lego, no custom accessories or minifigs. Definitely a great book for both Lego and History fans of all ages.  

The Tower - Palace and Prison

The Tower of London
- @ITweetMuseums

Originally built in 1078, and being constantly extended and rebuilt until 1399. The Tower of London is one of the most iconic historic buildings in the UK and millions of people all over the world come to visit it every year to take a look at the Royal Armouries and the Crown Jewels. 

Throughout the grounds you can visit most of the building learning the many different stages of the fortification, and the Royal palace living courtiers. Each section has the history about the building and some related artefacts displayed there.  

The main building is obviously the most iconic of the whole palace complex is the White Tower. With-in the building you will find the Royal Armouries and their long term display of the Line of Kings and their weaponry displays. 

Henry VIII armour in the
Line of Kings display.

The Line of Kings display was established in 1660 after the restoration of the monarchy in England. The exhibition was to promote the King's right to rule. 

As there aren't examples of armour for every monarch. They only displayed armour they had to hand and just added the names and dates to each descriptions. The display originally only displayed the good kings such as, William the Conqueror; no bad king was displayed but only later on they started to appear. This 17th Century propaganda was to show a continues link of good and great kings to strengthen the king's right to the crown, after such a uneasy reputation after the civil war. 

The collection was rearranged and dispersed over the years. The display today has be reassembled to showcase the history of the English monarchy and is the worlds longest visitor attraction. 

Also displayed in the White Tower is the long history of how the Royal Palace was also used in its later years as a prison and a place of execution and the history of weaponry.

The most visited attraction of the Tower is the Crown Jewels. The role of the Tower for many years was to protect the treasures of the monarchy. Even though the coronation tradition as been used for the past 1000 years, the jewels in the Tower today are quite modern. Most of the jewels in Jewel House were made in the late 1600s, the jewels before that were destroyed after the brief removal of the monarchy. 

So this is a great place to learn about the buildings and the Monarchy through the Royal Armoury and the Crown Jewels.