Block Party
Lego artist Nathan Sawaya toys around with Johnna Rizzo on Stephen Colbert, Donald Trump and the art world.
Photo: Courtesy of brickartist.com
The piece in Quantico is a two-thirds-size replica of the Iwo Jima flag-raising. I was honored to be asked to create the piece, but it was a lot of pressure because it is such an iconic image. Why Legos?
Lego is something that I enjoy working with because people relate to my sculptures in a different way. When they see something like my sculpture "Gray," where a giant figure is emerging from a solid box, they can connect to the toy, but they are also amazed [with] what can be done with it. Fine art and Legos: Not an expected combination!
I have been fooling around with sculpture all of my life, but it was about eight years ago that I challenged myself to create a large-scale sculpture using only Lego bricks. It got a good response, and I soon put together a few more pieces. Your first exhibit was in Lancaster, Pa. Avant-garde art in Amish country?
I don't think they expected to see a life-size sculpture of a figure tearing his chest open with Lego bricks spilling out. Have you ever considered more traditional media?
I like working in the Lego palette. It's challenging at times, but so is creating objects using only little rectangular bricks. Better building policy: Washington's respect for height or NYC's "the sky's the limit"?
I think a height limit can be very helpful at times, but for me, I gotta go big! You created a likeness of D.C.-born Stephen Colbert and went on the show. Did he play it for laughs?
Probably my most nerve-racking interview. Right before we were about to go on, he said, "Just so you know, I'm going to make fun of you." Master builder Donald Trump hired you to create a replica of his new Trump Tower in Dubai. Was the pressure on?
I'm told I am at my best when I am pressed for time. I had only two weeks to complete a 10-foot creation for Mr. Trump, and I ended up working over 14 hours every day to make it happen. What's NEXT for you and Legos?
My goal is to have the first Lego sculpture ever exhibited in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Can't you see a life-size Lego figure sitting between a Georgia O'Keeffe and a Winslow Homer?