The Art of the Brick Lego Exhibition in Cape Town

Don’t miss the world-renowned expo at the V&A Waterfront that transforms a common kids’ toy into contemporary art

While Lego building bricks have delighted little kiddies for decades, these much-loved construction toys will be captivating South African adults too thanks to The Art of the Brick exhibition. This phenomenal display, which is the work of acclaimed New York-based artist Nathan Sawaya, landed in Cape Town at the V&A Waterfront in December 2014 and has extended its stay until Sunday, 22 March 2015 with 76 colourful, large-scale figures and portraits made entirely from tiny Lego pieces.

Voted one of the world’s top 10 must-see exhibitions by CNN, the nomadic expo has already toured cities in North America, Australia, Asia and Europe, and now it comes to South Africa (it’s in Johannesburg from April 2015) to show locals how an ordinary game can be re-imagined as fine art.

The walk-through display, which will take up 1000m² of the new Watershed building at the V&A Waterfront, includes everything from a 6m-long, 80,000 brick Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton and multiple realistic human forms to interpretations of celebrated artworks, like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo statue. Some of the awe-inspiring 3D creations even make significant social commentary, and each one is simply perfect in proportion and scale.

The whole event is evidence of the remarkable talent of master creator Nathan, who gave up a career in law to play with Lego full-time, and it’s also a tribute of sorts to an iconic children’s brand that’s both very familiar to all and also full of imaginative potential.

"Everyone can relate to the medium since it is a toy that many children have at home," the artist is quoted as saying. "But my goal with this exhibition was to elevate this simple plaything to a place it has never been before."

Aside from the display, there will also be an interactive activation area focused on kids’ fun, family time and education. This zone will be home to PlayStation consoles, Lego building stations, The Art of the Brick merchandise, a kiosk and more, so that every member of the clan can find some extra entertainment.

Of course, the hungry can also find plenty of food at the markets and restaurants that surround this easily accessible part of the Waterfront... that is, if they can pull themselves away from the blow-your-mind highlights of this spectacular exhibition.

TICKETS FOR THE ART OF THE BRICK LEGO EXHIBITION AT THE V&A WATERFRONT CAPE TOWN

Tickets for the expo are available online via Computicket.com and Computicket outlets as well as from the on-site box office (subject to daily availability). Costs are as follows:

The expo will run every day between 9am and 7pm. Tickets are sold for specific one-hour time slots to avoid congestion, and no entry will be granted 45 minutes prior to closing time.

For more information on how to book kiddies parties or make a corporate reservation, visit ArtOfTheBrick.co.za.

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Looking for other ways to entertain the little ones? Have a look at our overview of 50 things to do with kids in Cape Town.

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