Do you enjoy LEGOs and nature?  If yes, then I have the perfect exhibit to recommend to you.  Over the weekend, I visited the South Coast Botanic Garden with my family to see the Nature Connects exhibit.This is an interactive art installation consisting of 15 nature-themed sculptures constructed entirely from almost half a million LEGO bricks.  Created by New York-based artist Sean Kenney, the sculptures took seven months to build.  The pieces are all very detailed and assembled exclusively using LEGO pieces, ranging from a 575-piece statue of a goldfinch to a hummingbird, the symbol of the Garden, which requires 31,555 pieces and stands over six feet tall.  As a LEGO lover (see my previous article), I was just as excited about seeing the sculptures as my four-year old daughter.  What I like about Nature Connects is that it really does help to connect children (and adults alike) with nature, as the exhibit title suggests.  During my visit, I observed many children marveling at the colorful exhibits and learning more about nature from the informational displays that accompany the sculptures.  This was great to see, especially at a time when a growing number of kids may be suffering from “nature deficit disorder.”  While LEGOs are typically used to make models of man-made structures like high-rise buildings, fire stations, airports, and other infrastructure, Kenney reminds us of the importance of nature and creative expression.

Be sure to see and experience the amazing Nature Connects exhibit before it ends on May 8, 2016.   For more information, please go here.  In the meantime, here are some photos for your viewing pleasure.

 

 

Note: All photos by author.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author alone, and do not reflect the official views or positions of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.