In Pieces. Lego Sculptures Blend Into Realistic Photography.

In Pieces Dean West & Nathan Sawaya

‘IN PIECES’ is a multimedia collaboration between brick sculptor Nathan Sawaya and Australian photographer Dean West. The exhibition consists of constructed LEGO pieces by Sawaya seamlessly placed into beautiful photographic environments by West. Both the Chromogenic prints and editions of the sculptures are available for purchase.

In Pieces Dean West & Nathan Sawaya

In pieces dean west & Nathan Sawaya

In some cases, the Lego sculpted pieces blend in so well, it’s hard to find them. For that reason I have created images with callouts atop the art for you.

The photographs, photos with callouts and LEGO sculptures:

“Dress”, In Pieces, 2012, Chromogenic Print on Kodak Endura, 43.0 x 59.5 inches, edition of 7:
In Pieces Lego art project

The pieces in the photo:

Dress, In Pieces, 2012, Plastic Bricks, 54.0 x 34.0 x 44.0 inches, edition of 1:

“Bus”, In Pieces 2012, Chromogenic Print on Kodak Endura, 43.0 x 56.4 inches, edition of 7:

The pieces in the photo:
In Pieces Lego project If it's hip it's here

Dog, In Pieces 2012, Plastic Bricks, 22.0 x 15.0 x 43.0 inches, edition of 7:
Dog made of lego bricks

Mannequin, In Pieces 2012, Plastic Bricks, 32.0 x 13.0 x 8.0 inches, edition of 7:
lego mannequin

“Pool”, In Pieces 2012, Chromogenic Print on Kodak Endura, 43.0 x 65.3 inches, edition of 7:
Pool, In pieces, Lego installation and photo

The pieces in the photo:
Pool, In pieces, Lego installation and photo

Flip Flops, In Pieces 2012, Plastic Bricks, 4.0 x 14.0 x 10.0 inches, edition of 7:
lego flip flops

Towel, In Pieces 2012, Plastic Bricks, 32.0 x 17.0 x 10.0 inches, edition of 7:
towel made of lego bricks

“Hotel”, In Pieces, 2012, Chromogenic Print on Kodak Endura, 43.0 x 43.7 inches, edition of 7:
HOTEL, in pieces, LEGO project

The pieces in the photo:

Large Cloud, In Pieces 2012, Plastic Bricks, 20.0 x 22.0 x 47.0 inches, edition of 7:

Small Cloud, In Pieces 2012, Plastic Bricks, 14.0 x 21.0 x 14.0 inches, edition of 7:

Bucket, In Pieces 2012, Plastic Bricks, 18.0 x 15.0 x 15.0 inches, edition of 7:

“Tree”, In Pieces 2012, Chromogenic Print on Kodak Endura, 43.0 x 51.8 inches, edition of 7:
Tree, In Pieces, LEGO installation

The pieces in the photo:

Tree, In Pieces 2012, Plastic Bricks, 48.0 x 22.0 x 20.0 inches, edition of 7:
tree made of LEGO bricks

“Train”, In Pieces 2012, Chromogenic Print on Kodak Endura, 43.0 x 58.0 inches, edition of 7:
Train, In Pieces, LEGO art installation

The pieces in the photo:
nathan sawaya dean west In Pieces

Tracks, In Pieces 2012, Plastic Bricks, 5.0 x 400.0 x 28.0 inches, edition of 7:
train tracks made of LEGO bricks

“Umbrella”, In Pieces 2012, Chromogenic Print on Kodak Endura, 43.0 x 57.0 inches, edition of 7:
Umbrella, In Pieces, Lego installation and photo project

The pieces in the photo:
umbrella made of LEGO bricks

Umbrella, In Pieces 2012, Plastic Bricks, 28.0 x 33.0 x 33.0 inches, edition of 7:
Umbrella nathan sawaya dean west In Pieces

Umbrella, close-up:

Gallery views of the exhibition:
nathan sawaya dean west In Pieces

gallery view nathan sawaya dean west In Pieces

nathan sawaya dean west In Pieces

In pieces, nathan sawaya dean west

About the project:
The project is a series of tableau compositions based on ideas about nature, culture, society and more specifically, identity. Identity as a cultural creation has been heavily commercialized and manipulated, and we prominently portray this through a highly stylized representation of contemporary life. The integration of Sawaya’s unique sculpture is key to the series’ narrative and aesthetic.

The images have been constructed using modern photography techniques, combined with specially sculpted LEGO® objects placed within the scenes. The combination not only builds on and accentuates the images’ aesthetic, but also compels the viewer to deconstruct each tableau, thereby exposing elements of the construction of cultural identity itself. Isolated individuals stand in recognizable but chillingly empty minimalist scenes with geometrical design, derived from common features of the American landscape. Their averted eyes gaze into nothingness, and a strange feeling of aloofness and displacement reverberates.

Referencing the aesthetic of the American Postcard in both the style and content- the series has been colour graded with pastels such as warm yellows and pale blues. The imagery, from a distance, appears entirely photographic. However, as the viewer begins to digest the images, the series reveals its brick by brick fabricated construction. The brick by brick, layer-by-layer process also represents the direct process involved with digital photography today with clear references to pixilation and technology.

Avant gallery nathan sawaya dean west In Pieces

NATHAN SAWAYA
www.brickartist.com

DEAN WEST
www.deanwest.com

In Pieces is showing at the Avant Gallery from February 28th, 2013 to March 17th, 2013