Technically called My Own Creations (MOCs), this page is dedicated my own Lego models that I build. Either as a break, seeking inspiration, even wanting to do something hands-on with minimal impact, I sometimes lose hours to these.
It wasn’t until an old friend introduced me to other of his friends as one that I ever thought to classify myself as an Adult Fan of Lego (AFOL). I have never thought of myself as one. I do not attend meet ups (maybe I should?), nor do I join any sites, communities, or such. I just build. It helps me unwind, relax, but also focus on creative problem solve and troubleshoot seemingly unrelated issues.
I’m not sure where to place this page in the great span of my site. It is a hobby to be sure, so maybe I’ll bury it in an Easter egg somewhere. At any rate, each model will get its own page with imagery and text like the rest of my portfolio. I do not view this practice of building with Lego as immature or childish, but as a manifestation of a bit more fun vision of the ‘serious play’ I list in my teaching and design philosophies. Lego even has corporate products and team-building sets they themselves call ‘Serious Play’ (Full disclosure: It’s where I discovered and started to use the term).
Whole mess o’ Lego
From licensed sets to original themes, I cherry pick inspirational models. The Architecture line holds a great deal of interest to me. I collect only those sets I’ve either visited in person or wish to. Also sets from the Ideas community are great, such as the Doctor Who set or the Caterham 7. Mechs that hold mini figures are of keen interest.
This line I was fascinated with even before I knew the unfortunate story. The sets are meant to be a kind of biomechanic humanoid who have elemental powers. Some of these powers are given in the form of masks, but always there is a focus unity, duty, and destiny. Their names were interesting enough like Mata Nui, and Toa. Sadly, Lego had pulled a lot of names and ideas from the culture and mythos of the Maori oceanic people. The issue rose to such a fervor that representatives of these people threatened to sue or in fact did. It even prompted me to write an art history paper during my masters program as well as create reflective works on the subject. These works I call ‘The Warriors of Childhood’, and they can be found in the collage section of my portfolio.
I believe I have about 98% of all legos my brother and I ever owned since we were kids. I designed a 36” diameter, wheeled coffee table with removable lid to house them all. Stored here unsorted, I prefer to ‘slush’ through the pieces like I would at a junkyard for larger sculptures. Most of the time I know what piece I want but whether I do or not, I enjoy coming across Radom pieces that may inspire me to develop the model differently. This approach also is inspirational, while building one model, to develop the next. I rarely (never to me recollection) have drawn or planned a set, however.
These decisions are of my grown side, but I am still very much a boy. I don’t mind admitting I still play with Legos. Some original sets have been together for years now, and I consider them triumphs of originality and imagination. I’ve even created my own steampunk/sci-fi theme that I’ve been building on lately. Other than that, I actively seek interesting or minimal piece constructions and joinery. Technic was never of great fascination, but I use it to make necessary joins.
I am not beyond establishing my own narratives and backstories for even the tiniest of creations.View More: AFOL, Bricks, Building, Hobby, Staying Young, Toys
