Tag Archives: Scala Baby

A beautifully tragic ending: Madama Butterfly

Inspired by the opera “Madama Butterfly”, builder  Care Creations has combined LEGO elements from the long-retired SCALA theme, last seen in the early 2000’s, with pieces from the recently released “Avatar” theme to create a snippet of this early 20th century masterpiece. The wings from  “75572 Jake & Neytiri’s First Banshee Flight” are creatively used for the main character’s butterfly outfit. However, arguably taking more attention, the builder has also given us another significant character from the opera: the flowering cherry tree, constructed using curved brown elements and purple leaves. In this scene, we see the main character in the 3rd act of the opera, taking her own life as she gives up her baby (a LEGO SCALA element) to her betrayer, the American naval officer.

Madama Butterlfy

Your day just got weirder. You’re welcome!

I’m really not that good with kids. I mean, I don’t even know what kind of bourbon they like. However, LEGO builder 1saac W. seems to have his finger on the pulse of what youngsters are into. That being, riding around in a souped-up Mad Max style baby buggy and collecting the bones of all those who oppose them. I knew it! Maybe it’s just the bourbon talking but from my perspective toddlers are creepy little buggers. And before you go commenting about how your darling Sonny-Boy can do no wrong do you really know what they’re plotting? Because I don’t think you do. I’ll have you know I was a kid once and I had my baby brother convinced the president was going to send missiles to our house if he wasn’t a good boy. It was the 80’s Reaganomics era and stock footage of MX Missiles were all the rage on TV so convincing him was easy. In my defense, he deserved it because, like I said, babies are just creepy!

Baby Thomas, Bone Collector

Voodoo? You do! Do what? Remind me of the babe...

Sometimes LEGO creations raise more questions than they answer. This sculpture of Baron Samedi by Leonid An has me scratching my head a bit. Wikipedia says the Baron is is noted for disruption, obscenity, debauchery, and having a particular fondness for tobacco and rum. But what does that have to do with that Scala baby? Sure, I could just focus on the great building techniques like the tires-for-tophat, nested-cape ascot, bucket-handle belt buckle, or the gorgeous curves in the coat. Or maybe I could ponder the patience required to balance two horn elements atop 1×1 rounds plate to create the eye sockets on the skull. But my eyes keep going back to that swaddled infant. It’s a creepy part to begin with, and this setting ramps that waaaay up.

Baron Samedi

This isn’t the first time we’ve featured a work by Leonid that features a creepy use of that baby figure, either. I’m not sure if I’m hoping we’ll see another, or if maybe it’s better if this never comes up again.