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Dansk version
September 21 2005
Albanians build vision of future – with 3 tons of LEGO bricks
The people of the formerly closed country of Albania have been given the task in their capital city, Tirana, of building a future vision for the city – using a massive pile of white LEGO bricks.
The man behind the project is Danish/Icelandic artist, Olafur Eliasson, who is well known for his live art. He says: “To me, the LEGO brick project is a "micro-model" of the situation in which the people of Tirana must often find themselves today: Building a stable society is only possible with the involvement and co-operation of each individual”.
On Pyramid Square in the centre of the Albanian capital he has set up building tables and invited passers by to build things with LEGO bricks.
Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen has donated the LEGO bricks through the family charity, Ole Kirk’s Foundation.
He says: “I never cease to be amazed when I see how children all over the world know instinctively how to build with LEGO bricks. Even when they may not have been aware of the LEGO brand – as the case in fact is in Tirana. When LEGO bricks can help stimulate creativity and the pleasure of building, it is a cause worth supporting.”
It is not the first time that Tirana has played host to popular happenings in public spaces. In 2003 the city’s mayor, Edi Rama, extended a challenge to a group of artists – to paint many of Tirana’s houses loud and provocative colours.
Mayor Edi Rama says of Eliassen and the new event: “This city needs to think differently and sometimes you need alternative methods to achieve that. We have to remember what it is like to make something together. That’s why I initiated the painting of the houses – and it’s the same reason why I think Olafur’s building exercise is a wonderful happening. To build together is essential for us.”
The 10 day event will go on the rest of the week. When the project finishes, a selection of the finished models will be exhibited at the national museum of art, and the surplus LEGO bricks will be used for other similar projects.
Facts about Albania:
Albania is the second poorest country in Europe (after Moldavia).
From 1949 to 1990 Albania was hermetically cut off from the rest of Europe under a communist regime. From 1990 92 Albanians won the right to set up independent political parties – and began a slow move towards modern democracy. Reconstruction takes time – especially when a country like Albania has to contend with unemployment, poor infrastructure, corruption and organised crime.
Albania has a population of about 3.5 million people – 600,000 of whom live in the capital, Tirana.
Facts about the white LEGO bricks:
Three tons of LEGO bricks take up app. 20 m³ of space.
Placed end to end, the bricks would reach 18 km.
Olafur Eliassen has previously carried out living events with LEGO bricks in various cities – for example, Aros Museum of Art in Aarhus, in Lund, and in Sydney. His latest work – in Tirana – is remarkable for its immense size.
For further information, please contact:
Trine Nissen
Corporate Communications
The LEGO Group
Tel.: +45 79 50 66 63
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Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen and Olafur Eliasson visiting the site in Tirana.
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Statement from Olafur Eliasson regarding the project.
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