Beyond imagination: a LEGO exhibit in Hong Kong

The talented group of LEGO fans in Hong Kong have put together a large exhibit organized by and hosted in Cityplaza from April 15 – May 2. There are 3 sections of the display. The first features a panel of storyboards detailing development of the LEGO Company. The second is a display of 2,000 figures and large figure sculptures spanning over 30 years of minifig history.

The third and most exciting section is a display of 17 famous world landmarks and icons such as the Grand Palace in Thailand by Vincent Cheung, a pyramid from Egypt by ArzLan, the Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Russia by Schneider Cheung, and Tiananmen in China by Andy Hung. Some early pictures taken by Joey Kwok have been uploaded on Flickr. I’ll update this post as more pictures of the event show up.

M3 Grant Medium Tank by PhiMa

LEGO M4 Sherman tanks are the single most popular tank to build, so it’s nice to see a builder break out of that mold and reproduce in LEGO a less popular but more interesting tank design. PhiMa does this with the tank that preceded the Sherman, the M3 Grant.

M3 Grant Medium Tank - "Jack The Ripper"

Three reasons I think the Sherman is so popular are because 1) They were the most common tanks by the end of World War II, 2) The convention is to build them in gray (standing in for olive drab) and gray is a fairly common color in LEGO, and 3) The structure above the chassis is fairly straightforward (though the curves are hard to get right in LEGO). In contrast, M3 Grants were used widely by British forces in North Africa, requiring tan instead of gray/olive, and they’re a lot more complex — especially with those two turrets — above the treads.

But PhiMa’s version isn’t just about the pretty exterior; he’s built significant playability features into the model, including a full interior and detailed engine.

M3 Grant Medium Tank - "Jack The Ripper"

Flora-Borg S510 modernizes your food

I’m not entirely sure what to make of this mech by Wyrk Wyze, but it certainly caught my attention. The lime-green detailing on the mouth (?) pops wonderfully, while the little white flowers add interest to the vines encircling the limbs and torso.

LEGO Flora-Borg

Human-powered transport

As much as I like to see more Asian elements within the available palette of LEGO elements, and as addicted as I am to the collectible minifigs, I can’t say I’m thrilled with the hair piece used for both (both?!) the sumo wrestler and geisha. Nevertheless, I can’t help but love anything that springs from the brilliantly bricking fingers of Michael Jasper.

LEGO rickshaw

Via twee affect, which has a nice discussion of the various interesting techniques that Michael inevitably applies to his LEGO creations.

Neo-Classic Space Aeon Hoverbike

Dutch builder zenn has been tossing out hoverbike variations built around the motorcycle chassis for over a year, but his latest Neo-Classic Space variation has so many lovely details I can’t pass it up.

Aeon Hoverbike

The fairing over the rear of the bike is some sort of Bionicle piece, and I love the old-style plastic cape over the light on the front.

Via Legobloggen.

John-117

Master Chief is neither the most interesting nor my favorite character from the Halo universe, but he is lucky to have the honor of being sculpted in LEGO by Jack Marquez (Ewok in Disguise).

Master Chief, Spartan 117

Though a bit foreshortened in this photo, the assault rifle is a nice build in its own right.

Galactic Empire

LEGO and art deco (to use it in a very loose sense) are a fairly common and often obvious combination. The basic curves of LEGO lend themselves very well to that wonderful era of design. With his Galaxy Diner and Empire Theater Sonicstarlight has taken it a bit further than most by adding some details that aren’t so readily achievable such as the mosaics and other mild details. I shan’t attempt to get in on the architectural description game but I really do appreciate the extra work and effort to add these details. And each building even has an interior.

Galaxy Diner and Empire Theater

Iron Mountain Legion Prowler APC

I’m sure it’s a surprise to see me blog about anything other than our charity auctions right now, but I’m giving it a shot. Here’s an APC for my Iron Mountain Legion military theme. I built and photographed this creation before my son was born in January, and I’m finally managing to get it uploaded.

Prowler APC 08

I built this to compliment the other creations that I’d already built for the theme. I’ve uploaded my initial sketch of the design, and hopefully, you can see a bit of my creative process. I tried to incorporate some of the details I used in the wheeled tank I built for this theme, including a similar front and headlight configuration, and beveled top. I also tried to add some APC functionality, like hatches, and a removable top (which I failed to photograph).