World’s largest lego enlivens iconic ancient Chinese painting captivating viewers encompassing two distinct ideas.
The National Day Golden Week has reached a peak as tourists gather at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, located in the eastern New Territories, to witness another Guinness World Record.
A lengthy replica of the famous painting “Along the River During the Qingming Festival,” from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126), has been displayed, creatively crafted entirely from Lego bricks.
Spanning 47 square meters, this record-breaking Lego exhibit, running from September 25 to October 31, has quickly become a popular destination for weekends and holidays, beautifully merging elements of the past and present.
Fusion of Ancient Chinese Masterpiece and Lego
The exhibit captivates viewers by fusing two distinct cultural icons: an ancient Chinese masterpiece and a timeless toy that evokes nostalgic memories for many in the West.
Tania Wan, deputy general manager of Personal Banking and Wealth Management at Bank of China (Hong Kong), explained, “We launched this exhibit primarily to showcase traditional Chinese culture through engaging events that are enjoyable and appealing to younger audiences.”
As visitors stroll through a 26-meter-long, three-dimensional diorama made with up to three million Lego bricks, they can envision themselves in vibrant streets of the past, filled with vendors selling melons and children playing games.
“A multitude of scenes featuring people from all walks of life engaged in their daily routines can be seen, with no two figures alike,” shared a local Hong Kong resident named Chung. “Everything came to life in an instant.”
Li Chun-tung, an art lecturer at the University of Hong Kong, pointed to a two-story building adorned with colorful ribbons and noted, “This was one of the busiest restaurants of the time, showcasing typical decorations of Northern Song Dynasty taverns and bars. It’s just one example of the many structures that have been vividly recreated in this model.”
Features of the Lego Diorama
The Lego diorama captures numerous aspects of life from centuries ago, mirroring the scenes depicted in the original painting. It features various trades such as a joss stick shop, barber, fortune teller, and medical clinic, as well as larger establishments like teahouses and taverns, alongside transportation methods including sedan chairs, wagons, donkeys, horses, and camels.
Despite his experience, Andy Hung, a Lego certified professional and program executive, expressed dissatisfaction with the project. He noted that some details remained unaddressed due to the limitations of Lego when it comes to representing human figures.
Moreover, Hung described the challenge of the project, stating that he spent five months developing the blueprint. He refined his Lego solutions, consulted with historians and architects, and drew inspiration from various archives.
“Every project presents something new, as I encounter different scenes, architectures, and cultures each time. Recreating these through Lego poses a unique challenge,” Hung remarked.
Additionally, in his studio located in Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, Hung showcased playful Lego interpretations of traditional Chinese culture, including models of the Forbidden City, Peking Opera facial masks, Suzhou double-sided embroidered fans, the Terracotta Warriors, and the Yellow Crane Tower.
“Younger generations in Hong Kong show a keen interest in recreating traditional Chinese cultural pieces using Lego. This time, we involved many young people and students, who displayed great enthusiasm,” Hung said.
“I aim to illustrate traditional culture through my creations, allowing these clever toys to convey the essence of that heritage,” Hung concluded
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