"MoFu 365/360" creatives:
Rokas Mikšiūnas
Profile
Lego model designer, conservator of architectural and cultural heritage Rokas Mikšiūnas reimagine Kaunas and Vilnius architecture with real or virtual Lego bricks. Specifically he recreates buildings from interwar era by simplifying complex architectural motif into micro scale models from Lego bricks. Rokas works Studio 2.0 Lego model program, where real life buildings take shape and form. Creation of Lego model is usually long and demanding process, where creator have to take in multiple aspect into consideration, including, building color, dimension and architectural motifs appropriation to Lego scale, stability of the model in real life and Lego brick availability.
Objects being interpreted
Liebling House, Tel Aviv
About the project
The White City of Tel Aviv was established in the early 20th century as a garden city, which latter embraced the modern architectural movement. As the Nazi party shut down Bauhaus school, many German Jewish architects moved to Tel Aviv. Trained in Walter Gropius hands these new residents kickstarted the formation of Tel Aviv’s White City. Throughout 20th century, many European decent Jews started their new lives in Tel Aviv, leading to mixed heritage Jews searching for common ground and identity.
In 2003 UNESCO recognized “White City” as an extraordinary example of city planning and architecture in the early 20th century, which to this day remain underappreciated by society. Artwork “Colorful lives of the White City” aim is to bring attention to the modernist heritage, share relevant stories, show that interwar modernist architecture can be seen as part of Jewish identity. Also, to engage local community in meaningful ways, and the process to create audio-visual work of art inspired by Liebling Haus – White City Centre. Final work will consist of LEGO model, historic context, audio stories and photos about the construction, neglect and renovation of the Liebling Haus – White City Centre. Artwork will emphasize the importance of preserving Tel Aviv’s Bauhaus architecture in modern times, using Liebling Haus – White City Center as a an example.
During the creation process local residents will be encouraged to donate unused LEGO bricks for building Liebling Haus – White City Center LEGO model. Moreover, residents will be invited to co-create Liebling Haus – White City Center, symbolizing mixed heritage Jewish community building a common ground to preserve early 20th-century modernist heritage. Meanwhile residents, historians, modernist property owners will be encouraged to share their photos, stories and other media about the Liebling Haus history. Selected stories will be voiced by Tel Aviv’s residents and incorporated into final artwork with historic photos of Max Liebling house.
Examples of Lego models constructed by Rokas Mikšiūnas.