Have you ever seen a 20 ft long Tyrannosaurus Rex? Well, you’re in luck, there was one present in Washington, DC over the weekend. Step into the world where LEGO bricks become more than just toys. They become art. The Art of the Brick Exhibit has stunned audiences worldwide, and has finally been brung to America over the weekend, to the capitol, Washington DC. Nathan Sawaya created the exhibit in 2002 after leaving his job as a corporate lawyer to start creating famous artifacts out of Lego and pursue his passion for building Lego. After long hours at work, Nathan would build LEGOS to relax. Starting with a LEGO piece he called “Boxer”, a reference to his imagined pet dog, after his parent’s refusal in getting him a furry friend, Sawaya went on to create an empire of LEGO set pieces of grandiose scale. Such hunger and passion for creativity is what Art of the Brick is all about. The exhibit’s purpose is to showcase incredible craftsmanship and talent and encourage people to think about art in so many other ways than paintings. There are so many ways of expressing and showcasing art, not just through the traditional forms we are all used to, and "Art of the Brick" is a testament to such, with a range of approximately 80,120 LEGO pieces. The exhibit has been displayed in approximately 24 countries and 100 cities worldwide. 

For many, the exhibit was like healing their inner child. Many of the people who attended the exhibit were LEGO enthusiasts. The first piece that caught the eyes of many was titled "The Kiss," made out of 18,893 LEGO bricks. "The Kiss," originally a popular painting by a famous Austrian painter, Gustav Klimt, and Nathan Sawaya replicated it out of LEGO bricks. The detailing of this piece made it a marvel in the eyes of many, particularly, how Sawaya was able to capture all the intricacies of Klimt’s work using LEGO bricks.

Moving deeper into the exhibit, another captivating piece was the famous Vincent Van Gogh Starry Night painting, painted in 1889 during his stay in the asylum.Van Gogh’s Starry Nights painting made entirely from LEGO bricks, was admired immensely by the audience and was met with applause. His impressive and insightful approach to capture art paintings accurately through LEGO bricks piqued the audience’s curiosity and further heightened engagement and artistic immersion.

Another piece that stood out and was eye-catching was the life-sized Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, made of 80,120 LEGO pieces. That specific piece is 20 feet long, making it the largest LEGO skeleton ever built. 

The ambiance in each room varied depending on what the theme of the room was. The room with the dinosaur had a jungle-like feeling with so many vine trees hanging from the wall, while the safari room made you feel like you were on an actual safari because the lights depicted that. One of the rooms was completely red. There were a bunch of LEGO-made hands sticking out from a pit that looked like a pit of lava.

The audience was intrigued by every piece. Everyone took pictures and videos and reacted to the pieces. So many kids were running around, excited and in awe of each piece, trying to touch it while their parents held them back. As onlookers steered with curiosity, the exhibit’s space was filled with awes and claps at various intervals.

Towards the end of the exhibit, there is an interactive room that allows participants to be a part of the creative process. Guest would then sit around with family and build Lego pieces, color sheets, etc. The room was buzzing with excitement and happiness, and kids played and ran around. There was also a place where guests could purchase merch, souvenirs, and LEGO pieces to take home with them.

Towards the end of the event, many participants felt fulfilled by the overall "Art of the Brick" experience. The event was everything Lego enthusiasts had hoped for, especially those who had had their hearts since they were young. The event was more than just an exhibit for many. Nathan Sawaya has shown us that art is more than just paint and canvas. It is more than just that. "Art of the Brick" proves that LEGOS are more than just toys. It is also a medium that can tell stories and evoke emotions.

Prospective enthusiasts looking to catch a glimpse of the showcase for themselves, can find ticket’s online on the company's website available for purchasing throughout the months of March and April. Don’t miss the chance to see the LEGO masterpieces ups close!