Monthly Archives: June 2011

Brickworld 2011 wrap up

For this year’s wrap up post, I’ve decided to feature 3 videos to illustrate my impression of Brickworld 2011.

This first video shows the largest of the 4 display rooms during public hours. Like any other Lego convention you would attend, Brickworld is full of awesome MOCs and awesome people. But unlike many, these awesome MOCs and people come in great numbers, with over 900 registered attendees displaying creations over 30,000 sq. ft. This year marks only and already the 5th anniversary of Brickworld, which has now become the most attended Lego fan convention out of the half dozen in the US.

The next video shows the Flexpicker by Chris Shepherd, which won the Best Mechanical award. It is one of the many new MOCs that turned heads at the show. Some others new creations at Brickworld included the Love Boat by Ryan McNaught, the Lord of the Rings group display by MOCpages members, and Ben Caulkins’ Master Chief suit, which probably appeared in photos with just about every camera owner at Brickworld.

When you combine lots of awesome people with awesome MOCs, fun times (and hilarity) ensue. Speaking of the Lego Master Chief, here’s a video of him crashing through the decorative wall by Beth Weis. Other moments that slipped my camera included the drunk build of the Barad-dûr, the mysterious transformation of the new Super Star Destroyer into a BrickMania tank, and the f-bomb glorified in a lit-up mosaic during the World of Lights. If you search hard enough, you might come across some photographic evidence (the Brickworld group on Flickr is a good place to start). And for the other things that went down (including the unspeakable), you’ll just have to make it out to Chicago to see it all.

Don’t forget about your chance to design the 2012 event kit!

PLUG announces TOMAR BRInCKa 2011, July 1 – 3

The Portuguese LEGO Users Group (PLUG) is again hosting its annual LEGO fan event from July 1-3 called TOMAR BRInCKa 2011. The event will take place in the municipal pavilion of the city of Tomar. If you’re nearby, you can also attend the quadrennial Festival of the Tabuleiros.

Barad-dûr, the dark tower

Kevin Walter‘s 5’ 9″ tall creation of Sauron’s fortress from Lord of the Rings caught many people’s attention at Brickworld last weekend. The builder estimates about 50,000 pieces that went into the build, and those who attended the convention may remember Kevin assembling just about all those parts on site following the shipping fiasco. Luckily he had many beer and friends to keep him company.

Welcome to Rapture

Imagine Rigney displayed this Bioshock creation at Brickworld last weekend. This multi-story vignette features scenes from Bioshock from the ravaged rooms of Rapture to the cold depths of the ocean floor. There’s much more behind the walls and windows of the building you see. Check out all the details on Flickr.

Welcome to the Burrow

Matija Grguric presents a delightful minifig-scale build of the Burrow from Harry Potter. This 2+ feet tall model captures the crooked look of the building, and note the use of tan plates in horizontal and vertical directions to achieve the looks of wooden planks. See this creation from different angles on Flickr.

I’ve told her to stop, but she won’t listen

Katie Walker just keeps blowing my mind. Every time I start to think that I’ve seen it all, she posts something new to her photostream. She even says that this is just an experiment and she built it while surrounded by four children, all under the age of four. After hearing that, I would think she was actually a lego-building robot…except I’ve met her in person. If she was a robot, she hides it well.

Interlacing experiment

Bus by Karwik

There is something engaging about a well-built bus. I have no idea what it is, since nearly all of my experiences on long bus rides have been bad. However, regardless of my own past experience, Karwik has built a charming bus, complete with bus stop.

Autosan H9-21

10221 Super Star Destroyer coming in September 2011

The next UCS Star Wars model to be released is the 10221 Super Star Destroyer, which was unveiled at Brickworld this weekend. For 3,152 pieces, it carries a heavy price tag of $399.99. As a model, it is well-designed and sturdy enough to be swooshed. Its unique minifigs include Dengar, Admiral Piett, and IG-88 with a printed head. You can check out the parts inventory in this photo I took of the instruction manual.

10221 Super Star Destroyer

Ages 16+. 3,152 pieces.

US $399.99 CA $499.99 DE 399.99 € UK 349.99 £

The Super Star Destroyer Executor has arrived! This jaw-dropping vessel served as command ship at the Battle of Endor and as the personal flagship of Darth Vader in the classic Star Wars movies. With its classic dagger-shaped design, the Executor is among the largest and most powerful vessels in the Star Wars galaxy. With over 3,000 pieces, measuring nearly 50″ (124.5 cm) long and weighing nearly 8 pounds (3.5 kg), every aspect of this fantastic LEGO® Star Wars™ model impresses. Includes 4 minifigures: Darth Vader, Admiral Piett, Dengar, Bossk and IG-88.

• Includes 4 minifigures: Darth Vader, Admiral Piett, Dengar and Bossk!
• Also includes IG-88 figure!
• Features over 3,000 pieces!
• Measures nearly 50 inches (124.5 cm) long and weighs nearly 8 pounds (3.5kg)!
• Includes display stand and data sheet label!
• Center section lifts off to reveal command center!

Here is the description video by the designer:

Lolino shows off his sea legs

Sorry, I had to say it. But, honestly, Lolino’s oceanside scene is a knockout. I love the use of legs as water and surf. But they aren’t the only items of interest in this creation. The buildings are also lovely and the use of pistols are brackets is surprising, but it is the birds that really bring this build to life for me. Well played, Lolino!

LEGO Technic Starcraft 2 Banshee

This banshee, by Antti Havala, is incredibly gorgeous and that isn’t something you can say about a lot of Technic builds. Sporting four rotors, two motors, adjustable rotor pitch and two LED headlights, this Banshee screams for attention.

Lego Technic Starcraft 2 Civilian Banshee

You have to watch the video too. It’s pretty sweet.

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Many thanks to Glory_Forever for the heads up!

Brickfête registration closes in two weeks

The Brickfête Team would like to remind all of The Brothers Brick readers that there are only TWO WEEKS LEFT to register.

Join us for some “old school” fun in Ontario, Canada for our inaugural LEGO Fan Convention for the adult hobbyist. Tons of cool LEGO moments, interesting challenges, enlightening experiences and prizes that have make perfect rattling sound await you.

July 28th to July 31st
The Assembly Hall
Toronto, Canada

To register for the four days check out the “AFOL” pages at www.brickfete.com

The general public is invited to view the awesome LEGO Creations on display. We can’t wait for you to see what we have built!

July 30th, 2011
10am until 5pm
The Assembly Hall
Tickets sold at the door

All the details and more can be read on www.brickfete.com

Looking forward to having you join us,
The Brickfête Team
“A festival run by fans, made by the fans, for the fans.”

Oasis

Tyler and I are proud to present our second collaborative display called Oasis, built for Brickworld 2011. This 5′ X 7′ project was completed from April to June and contains approximately 25,000 pieces. It was inspired by the idea of a spinning wheel towering above a pool of moving water. The story goes that long after the humans have abandoned their planet and consumed its resources, the robots left behind have created a new paradise from the desert. You can learn more about the backstory by following our teasers.

Like our previous collaboration, Containment, Oasis also features lights, motion, and music. Enjoy the video.