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Today marks the first day back for students of the Philadelphia School District. And although I am far from the excitement of all things back-to-school, I still have a little bit of love for kid-centric activities. Some of the earliest memories of my childhood — and many of yours, I’m sure — include playing with LEGOs. The primary-colored blocks could provide hours of entertainment and endless possibilities on the architectural front.
It’s been quite a few years since I’ve challenged myself to build a miniature fort or house. When I read the American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Ave., would be the temporary home to millions of LEGOs, I knew I had found my chance to act like a kid again, if only for a day. Admission for adults was $8 — a steal compared to some of the monstrous institutes in Center City. With an out-of-the-way location in FDR Park, there was no charge or headache to find a place to park.
"The Art of the Brick" opened Aug. 23 and runs through Nov. 30. Located inside the changing exhibition gallery was a display you’d have to see to believe. I had looked at photographs and researched the life of creator Nathan Sawaya and it hardly did him justice.
Nearly one million LEGOs made up the display of more than a dozen pieces. Some, like "Pencil Fun" — a six-foot high pencil that’s written a LEGO-script "fun" — are larger than life and seem to defy gravity. Others are small and yet still playful, such as "Tiger Giraffe."
In my research, I learned Sawaya quit his job to take up his art. Truly a child at heart, his display is the only major museum exhibition in the United States to focus exclusively on the use of the popular toy as an art medium.
My curiosity for Sawaya’s talent left me anxious to put my motor skills to use. I wandered around the building a bit longer before I stumbled upon The Creation Station in the museum’s John Ericsson Room.
Inside I found the familiar colorful toys. They were set up at several tables with construction challenges hung above. Among them: Make a skyline, create buildings and make shapes. A few kids were busy at work, chatting about their unfortunate return to school this week.
When a table cleared up, I took a seat and decided to try my hand — or hands, rather — on a challenge. Aside from being fun, I remembered how tricky it could be to make certain shapes without thinking it through. When I was done, I tore my masterpiece apart and put the LEGOs away. I always was one to follow the rules.
Spotted a cheap trend? Let C. Henderson in on your secret at chenderson@southphillyreview.com/
