New Lego Art Installation Draws Large Crowds At Arboretum
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A new art installation is bringing in big crowds to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Nature Connects features 13 different nature displays made entirely of Legos. It was built by New York artist, Sean Kenney, who quit his corporate career to follow his passion for building with the tiny plastic blocks.
"All the sculptures are nature themed so they're animals or plants. Also, it's a fun way to bring people into the gardens and attract new audiences," Barb DeGroot of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum said.
Saturday morning, the Arboretum was busy with visitors wanting to see the Lego sculptures that feature a bonsai tree, humming bird, wheelbarrow and even a Galapagos tortoise.
"Unbelievable. People just can't believe the way they look. He's really a master at this," DeGroot said.
Twelve-year-old Hannah Steele, of Hastings, said she could appreciate the time invested into each sculpture
"I've always been playing with Legos since I was really little. Ever since I could play with them, I've been building with them," Steele said.
A builder herself, Steele knows the challenge of connecting a concept to reality.
"I think it's just really cool that someone can do that and that it's big enough that you can actually see it, not super tiny like everything else is," Steele said.
Larger than life hummingbirds aren't made easily.
All together the 13 sculptures are made from nearly half a million Legos and are the result of hundreds of hours of work
"I think it's gorgeous. You would never ever realize that was Legos," Sandy Thibault, of Hastings, said.
The Lego sculptures will be on display through the end of August.
There are also times throughout the month where kids can build with Legos at the Arboretum.
For more information, visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum online.