progressing LEGO as art

Form, content, and context seem to be the reoccurring words seen when looking at writing about Lego being critiqued and considered as art. With this said it takes a level of technical building expertise and purpose to be art among the majority of the Lego community with an even slimmer chance among “art experts”. Lego is commercially known as a children’s toy, however the adult builders known as AFOLs (adult fans of Lego) take building kits into impressive and details creations. “Whilst often stunning, this mix of highly developed building and a love of popular culture, holds Lego back from serious aesthetic consideration in academic circles.” Many of Lego’s product themes have made their way into pop-culture and are also a popular basis for many creations. The pop-culture element seems to in general have a negative effect in the argument of Lego as art due to general assumptions and lack of separation from currently and previously sold Lego kits, however one could make a counterpoint to this with Andy Warhol’s influence of pop-art. While more original creations could potentially make more leeway for the grander consideration of Lego being art among the masses, but I still believe there is space for the nostalgia inspired builds. Overall the awarding the title of art is an achievement of social acceptance rather than objective rule.