Tag Archives: Politics

Speak softly, but carry a big can of paint

Almost ten years after his previous foray into the middle east, mysterious artist/activist Banksy recently popped up in the Gaza Strip, in an effort to once again highlight the plight of people in this region. Flickr member TheBrickAvenger was inspired to recreate one of the Gaza pieces in LEGO:

Some LEGO “purists” may scoff at the choice of the stacked bricks technique used here. But hey, maybe the builder was using it to make a statement? Or maybe there was literally no other way to create this image convincingly at mini-fig scale. Either way, the result is impressive – especially when you consider the effort it must have taken! For context, here is a photo of the original:

Remember to vote, innit?

It’s election day! This Thursday, British voters will be exercising their democratic rights by rushing to the pub, then staggering to the polling stations, then (if memory serves) heading straight back to the pub.

So far this version of 10 Downing Street by Ben and Rachel Apps is the only remotely relevant MOC that I’ve been able to dredge up for the occasion. Personally I blame the British government …for not producing any political figures memorable enough to be worth modeling in LEGO!

Anyway, hope you all have a great election – if nothing else it’ll be good practice for when this happens all over again at Christmas.

Je Suis Charlie

Although the tragic events that unfolded yesterday in Paris were simply the act of a few deranged individuals, they are a reminder to us that – like all members of the visual arts community – LEGO builders should value their freedom of expression too. French builder Jimmy Fortel decided to show his solidarity with the beautiful creation below.

Je suis Charlie

It’s impossible to please all the people all of the time. I for one have had my fair share of negative feedback for things that I’ve created. But I appreciate having the freedom to push those boundaries and make artistic statements without fearing physical retribution. Sadly, that is not the case for people living in some parts of the world today. Yesterday’s incident should serve as a reminder of the freedoms that most of us do enjoy, even when they are being tested.

Nous somme tous Charlie.

As always, feel free to share your thoughts below. But please be aware that any overtly abusive, offensive or disrespectful comments will be deleted.

Och aye the “No”

Last night the people of Scotland voted against breaking away from the United Kingdom, thereby ensuring an uninterrupted flow of Mars bars in one direction, and Doctor Who actors in the other. And proving that I certainly have no monopoly on capturing current events in LEGO, James Pegrum built this scene to mark the occasion:

Pointless political war to now rage in the comments…

Brick Obama: LEGO Hope poster by Michael Fortress

As I type this, Barack Obama stands on the steps of the Unites States Capital with his right hand raised, taking the Oath of Office as the 44th President of the United States of America.

Brick Obama \"Hope\" poster by Michael Fortress

Like many LEGO fans, Michael Fortress wanted to mark the historic inauguration of president Obama. Inspired by the iconic Shepard Fairey “Hope” poster, Michael combined his graphic design skills with his passion for LEGO to create his own LEGO-themed Barack Obama “Hope” stencil poster.

Check out more of Michael’s design projects on deviantART.

President-Elect Barack Obama

There are more partisan LEGO images I could have chosen, but this beautiful mosaic by Udronotto seemed the most appropriate.

(Like Senator McCain’s concession speech a moment ago, let’s keep the comments civil, dear readers.)

Sarah Palin, the plastic Vice Presidential candidate

I’m sorry to have missed meeting Ochre Jelly during the public hours at BrickCon, but I was very pleased when he sent me a link to his latest LEGO creation.

OJ has captured the Alaska governor winking during her debate with Joe Biden:

Sarah Palin

OJ writes:

This is a new scale of LEGO that I am experimenting with. Not minifig scale, not miniland scale, but I’m calling it “marionette scale”. The goal was to figure out the smallest (which in my mind is the most interesting) scale at which I can create recognizable 3D facial likenesses.

I Do

I support marriage equality.

I Do