Dreams Come True Brick by Brick: Popular Lego Exhibition, ‘The Art of the Brick’ Opens in Budapest

“I adore everything that is Lego. This exhibition is a great family program, just like building Lego together; every generation enjoyed it in my family. You can’t comprehend how pieces this tiny can make such unique artistic creations. When we go home, I’m sure the Lego will come out to play,” says Claudia Liptai, the host at the opening.

“The Art of the Brick” is one of CNN’s Top 10 “must-see” traveling exhibitions. As Chresten Bruun, senior president of the Lego Group and leader of the Lego factory in Nyíregyháza, stated, they are honored to see this exhibition in Hungary, that there are no borders of creativity, and that Lego is still so much in style.

“One of the five Lego factories is operating in Nyíregyháza, Hungary. We are very proud to be the manufacturers of these magical little bricks. It is even possible that these very pieces that are on show were made at our factory,” Bruun says.

Nathan Sawaya’s art is well known and respected worldwide: “The Art of the Brick” exhibition has already been a massive success in 42 countries.

Its mission, other than to bring pure joy and the “Wow!” factor, is to bring art closer to the younger generations against online trends and to show that nothing is impossible. Even the tiniest pieces can make the biggest miracle, says Tamás Elter, art historian, and curator of the exhibition.

“I use the Lego bricks as the medium between the people and art because it’s interesting to see people’s reactions to something they are already familiar with. Everybody connects with Lego because it’s something that a lot of children have at home, and even adults have a connection with it,” says Sawaya in his welcome to the exhibition from New York.

“I raise the bar with this simple toy and elevate it where it’s never been before. I like the cleanness of the whole, the angles, and the separate lines. As with lots of things in life, this is all about perspective. Up close, the brick’s shape is characteristic. But from afar, everything comes together in arches. And everybody knows that dreams are made of bricks,” he adds.

“The Art of the Brick” is open until January 31, 2023, in Komplex, Király utca 26, Budapest. As part of the show, FunZones have been created where children and adults can play together with Lego in a big pool. The exhibition is accessible for all, and audioguides are available as well.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of October 21, 2022.