Tag Archives: Vignettes

Vignettes are like the haiku of the LEGO world. Usually built on a base 8 studs wide by 8 studs deep, vignettes show a little scene or a moment in time. But like written poetry, there’s plenty of variation on the basic theme.

Save RC trains! Oh wait...

The recent announcement from LEGO about the future of both RC trains and 9-volt trains has rupi approaching the issue from a historical perspective:

This actually brings up a good point, so I apologize in advance for using rupi’s vignette as an excuse to spout my own opinions. ;-)

Long before 9-volt Trains (in the 1960s through part of the 1980s), LEGO produced train sets that ran on 4.5-volt power. In other words, the transition from 9-volt trains to RC trains was not the first, nor do I suspect that the transition from 9-volt and RC to the new system will be the last. Who knows what kind of technology will be available to power LEGO trains 30 years from now?

Don’t get me wrong; I do understand the frustration of LEGO fans who’ve invested thousands of dollars in the current 9-volt system (and in my role as an Ambassador, I’ve passed along all the feedback of LEGO Train fans to LEGO). Still, I can’t help but feel that LEGO deservers some measure of understanding for the decisions that they’re making, that LEGO isn’t a non-profit organization whose sole mission is to provide parts and accessories for our hobby regardless of profitability for them.

But I digress. Let’s end this post on a lighter note, with rupi’s ultimate punch line to his little joke:

(Rupi’s vig via Biczzz. The opinion is all my own. ;-) )

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Vader gets his own guards

If the Emperor gets his personal guards, why can’t the dark lord himself? When I found those red Darth Vader helmets on Bricklink, I knew what I had to do.

Noddy strikes the cord of love

Karwik (aka Noddy) conjures the romantic atmosphere of a small intimate cafe called the Two Hearts Cafe, complete with bikes as expected.

This is the third time I blogged Noddy in what seems like such a short time frame, but his recent vignettes are so sentimental and nostalgic. It’s soft of me to say that, but one’s gotta take a break from all the space shooters and war-bots once in a while.

Alex Eylar has many abilities

Alex Eylar (Flickr) has posted another set of vignettes featuring minifigs with special abilities. Click the photo above to see “Telekinesis” (pictured), “Dehydration,” and “Healing.”

And since I didn’t get around to them the first time around, my favorite from his first series (click for more):

(Both via VignetteBricks.)

Camping with Noddy

Karwik (aka Noddy on Brickshelf) created a peaceful and heartwarming scene of a campsite called Holiday Time. Personally, I’ve missed my camping days as a boy scout, so this little creation brings back many good memories.

Particular to note is the use of wedge plates to create the contours of the campsite. Not only does this technique create a non-square baseplate, it also imitates the landscape well. You can find more pictures of the cool bike in the background here.

Cruising down Route 66

Known as Noddy on Brickshelf, Karwik is synonymizing his name with realistic and stylish minifig bikes. His recent designs only reinforce his mastery of the subject. Check out Noddy’s Silver Shark and M72 Bobber backdropped by a well built gas station.

Shattering the vistas of reality

My most recent work is another surrealist scene, depicting a very personal experience. The imagery was fully conceived in June of this year as I lay in bed thinking on a peaceful mid-afternoon. The work is titled A Death to Disorder.

You can visit Flickr for marked notes on symbolism and an accompanying poem.

Ride like the wind, Ichabod! Ride!

Mister oo7 recreates a scene from Washington Irving’s story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

Don’t knock on that door, SpongeBob!

So much for a safe Halloween, Graham — at least for SpongeBob and Patrick! (Is that the King of Pop wielding the mace?!)

Taking the Plunge with Tânia

I really enjoyed the photo of Portuguese LEGO Ambassador Tânia Baixinho on page 28 of BrickJournal Issue 9. Fellow Forum 0937 member Rupi has built a lovely vignette that provides a bit of a backstory for the picture of Tânia in BrickJournal:

While we’re at it, Rupi has also built a vig showing 0937 mascot “Manel” bringing a LEGO fan out of his “dark ages”:

(Via Tânia and her husband Luís’ blog, LegOficina dos Baixinhos.)

Tsubo Niwa (Courtyard Garden) by mumu

Space is at a premium in Japan, but many city residents still find ways to bring greenery into their lives through their courtyard gardens (or tsubo niwa).

Mumu‘s tsubo niwa vignette includes many elements common in Japanese gardening: a shoji screen on the porch, a stone lantern, a kokeshi doll, various rocks and stones, and a shishi odoshi (“deer chaser”).

Croak.

I’m not 100% sure (correct me if I’m wrong — it has happened once or twice), but I think Tim Zarki may have actually started this weird but undeniably cool trend with “Captain Cake and Trusty Navigator” (above). The trusty navigator is wearing the helmet.

UPDATE: Tim provides A Brief History of Frogspace on There’s a Moose in My Salad.

Here’s Captain Cake on his command deck: