These Lego Bricks Can Save Crumbling Structures in a Creative Way

Looking at Lego Bricks that a 36-m-high LEGO tower was created and awaits Guinness world records title, it’s hard to picture them as more than just a child’s plaything. However, German artist Jan Vormann is doing just that with his installation “Dispatchwork”. Vormann uses Lego bricks to cover holes in crumbling walls and edifices. The colorful project allows Vormann to add a patch of vividness and spontaneity to these already decaying facades. It’s no wonder Vormann is known far and wide as the Lego Man. Many of his pieces incorporate the Lego bricks in one way or another. Some walls only have a dozen Legos strategically positioned, while others are full of Lego pieces, from top to bottom. Lego architecture is not an entirely new concept, but Vormann’s particular presentation itself is unique. Also,

Courtesy of Jan Vormann

Small Beginnings:

Vormann was born in Bamburg, Germany. He first chose to study Art History and Conservation but later switched to studying Visual Arts. Vormann began his project in 2007.  Initially, the project was going to involve Vormann traveling to a number of cities in a span of 3 years. Vormann’s purpose was simple. Filling crevices and crumbling walls with these colorful construction bricks was his way of creating a world within a world. However, the project ended up taking off. Now, it’s been over 10 years since Vormann started “Dispatchwork”. Since then, he’s traveled to over 40 cities; his work has taken him across the world.

The Nuart Festival:

Recently, Vormann participated in the Nuart Festival for street and urban art. The festival, held annually in Stavanger, Norway, is a platform for non-traditional artists to display their works. Showcasing his works in the streets of Stavanger wasn’t the only highlight. Vormann also talked about his project, specifically mentioning how it is a way for people to add their own playful spin onto everyday locations.

Global Impact of The Lego Bricks:

Vormann, however, is not the sole executor of this installation. Nor does he seem to want to be. Instead, Vormann is urging other people from all around the world to take part in “Dispatchwork”. He thinks of his project as a “global game”. Vormann’s explanation serves to give insight into his world.  “Dispatchwork aims at childhood-memories in abstract shapes and vivid colors, towards a global collaboration of persons unknown to each other. Persons who like to share their time playfully and don’t mind when the unglued structures slowly ‘dissolve’ back into kids toyboxes,” wrote Vormann, about the mission of Dispatchwork.