One of the things that the Internet has done is mainstream what had previously been tucked away out of sight. Fringe interests. One of those that doesn’t involve bodily fluids, is the apparently very popular hobby of Lego Re-Enactments.
There are people who do Lego re-enactments of history:
Of Movies:
Of Religious Text:
And recently The Guardian released The Year 2011 In Review, but with Legos. How cool is that? Really, shouldn’t all news be done with Legos? Maybe Muppets?
Some highlights:
The wedding of Prince William and Kate:
They appear not to have included Kate's sister's butt.
Obama and staff watching the raid on bin Laden’s compound:
How do you make Lego's look so serious?
The Occupy Movement:
There's also a lego re-enactment of tear gassing protesters in Oakland.
And the uprising in Libya:
There may be a disturbing "Lego Ghaddafi in a Drain Pipe," but I ain't looking for it.
I suppose a lot of people find this stupid or trivializing. I don’t know why but I just like it so much! I suppose it could mean I’m stupid and trivial, but… you know… I guess I had to find out sometime. But that’s also one of the great things about the Web – where before it would have been something you built in your garage, didn’t tell anyone, maybe took a photo – now there’s community for it.
There’s more on The Guardian’s page about it.
The Byronic Man 
December 17, 2011 at 8:13 am
Legos so totally rock. This is awesome.
December 17, 2011 at 11:17 am
At some point I expect to grow out of them. At some point.
December 20, 2011 at 10:14 am
Go ahead. More Legos for me.
December 17, 2011 at 8:58 am
As the mom of 2 boys, I spent many hours (years?) recreating scenes with Legos, and fiercely cursing after stepping on the little buggers with my bare feet. I always love Legos. I even lusted after the Lego man who washed up on shore in Sarasota a few months ago…
December 17, 2011 at 11:18 am
I had to look up the Sarasota Lego Man. That’s crazy! Crazy awesome, I mean.
December 17, 2011 at 11:23 am
I wanted him in the worst way…
December 17, 2011 at 9:05 am
Interesting…it didn’t occur to me to be trivial or dumb til you said that some would find it that way. That shite takes a long time to do and I guess the people who did it felt strongly to “commemorate” those moments (even if they were in fact paid to do it by somebody who cared).
December 17, 2011 at 11:19 am
I think I put that on there pre-emptively. Just in case. And I suppose some of them may have been hired Lego builders, but A) I’d like to think they’re just enthusiasts and B) If it is a job, where do I apply?
December 17, 2011 at 11:38 am
I’m in the middle of Legopallooza here at my house. We just bought my son two more sets for Christmas and I’ve realized something: those things are freaking expensive! But yeah, very very cool.
December 17, 2011 at 4:07 pm
They really are expensive. How come there isn’t a generic knock-off? Do Lok-Blox still exist? You’d think there’d be something to compete. Maybe the Lego people are actually heartless thugs who destroy any possible competitors.
December 17, 2011 at 12:27 pm
I love Lego…especially when I can play while eating Eggos. 🙂
December 17, 2011 at 4:03 pm
I suggest smothering them in Prego.
December 17, 2011 at 1:04 pm
I can hear the conversation now, “What do you do?” “I’m a Lego historian, you?” Your pictures are funny – and kind of neat actually. Thanks for sharing.
December 17, 2011 at 6:57 pm
There are also lego rock videos out there, someone did System of a Down songs as “System of a lego” & the little dudes rock! http://youtu.be/rR4mTqq80I8 Last time I was in the lego store (Mall of America) most of the shoppers were at least high school/college age….
December 19, 2011 at 8:23 am
I think maybe it’s that we play with them at a young age and it gets hard-written into the brain that “Lego = AWESOME.” Now as adults that equation is still there.
December 17, 2011 at 7:34 pm
Isn’t it sort of interesting how the Obama lego man sticks out in the room? Hellloooo… you’re the only non-yellow guy here… Am I Legoist for noticing that?
December 19, 2011 at 8:25 am
No, I noticed the same thing. Weirdly, the sharp colors of the Lego people sort of drive home that America may have elected an African-American as president, but the “Clubhouse” hasn’t exactly had a radical makeover.
December 17, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Yes, I remember reading about this, actually I was laughing more than I was reading it. Legos are always awesome until you step on them when you aren’t wearing shoes–but that is beside the point, great post. 🙂
December 19, 2011 at 8:26 am
Someday, someone will invent a Lego that doesn’t hurt your feet to step on. That person will get very rich.
December 18, 2011 at 6:54 am
Oh my stars. This takes my breath away.
A new guilty pleasure!!!!!
Thank you, Byronic Man.
December 19, 2011 at 8:27 am
I wonder if they make Lego chipmunks?
December 18, 2011 at 2:12 pm
This is cool. I secretly (not so secret as I’ve now posted it) think you built all of these scenes.
December 19, 2011 at 8:35 am
That’s my intention – create the false impression that I built them. I also hope to “accidentally” imply that I recorded “Nevermind,” that I wrote “The Catcher in the Rye” and that I’m George Clooney.