politics arts nation world economy science health education teachersThe RundownTV SCHEDULE Updated: Lego reverses decision on bulk purchases after Ai Weiwei flap Updated Jan. 13, 2016 | Lego changed its policy on bulk purchases after initially refusing to sell directly to Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, saying at the time that it didn’t want its product used to make a political statement. On Tuesday, Lego issued a new policy, saying it would fulfill bulk orders without regard for their intended use. “I think Lego made a good move, I think this would be a small victory for freedom of speech,” Ai told the BBC. His Melbourne exhibition depicting political dissidents ended up using non-Lego bricks. Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is receiving an outpouring of support in the form of Legos. People around the world are offering to send the artist and activist their Legos after the company refused to fulfill his request for a bulk order. He plans to use the colorful blocks in a work that will be shown at the National Gallery of Victoria in Australia.
On his Instagram account last week, Ai said Lego told him they could not meet his request because “they cannot approve the use of Legos for political works.” Soon after, supporters began offering on Twitter to ship Ai their Legos. Ai has said he will find a way to accept them. .@LEGO_Group this is about 10% of our #Lego collection. We won't be buying more. @aiww you're welcome to borrow it. — Dave Hall (@skwashd) October 25, 2015 — Suzu King (@BellTree127) October 25, 2015 Ai blames Lego business interests in China as reason for their refusal. He notes that just last week, a British company announced it would open a Legoland in Shanghai. In a statement, Lego reiterated it has a long-standing policy to not become involved in political messaging. “As a company dedicated to delivering great creative play experiences to children, we refrain — on a global level — from actively engaging in or endorsing the use of LEGO bricks in projects or contexts of a political agenda,” the statement reads.
“This principle is not new.” This is not the first time Ai will have used Legos in his work. Last year, he used hundreds of thousands of Legos to create the names and faces of 176 people jailed or exiled for their ideologies. The work was displayed on Alcatraz Island, in a room used as a prisoner workshop. Ai isn’t the only one scrambling to get Legos though. The company announced earlier that its demand was so high, there might be a shortage as holiday shopping ramps up. Editor’s note: This post has been updated to correct the spelling of the company, Lego, not Legos. A 2.32-minute Lego animation video is the latest tool being used by officers to urge motorists to pay attention on our roads.The video, called “Billy Weezer the Distracted Geezer,” follows the story of hapless hard-hatted Mr Weezer as he gets into a series of driving accidents by foolishly allowing himself to be distracted by his mobile phone.The video has been shared by more than 600 people since it was posted on the WA Police Facebook page on Thursday.Adam Brouwer, social media manager for WA Police, and a colleague set up a small Lego film set in a large cupboard in the WA Police media room and set about taking 800 photos to feed into video software and make a stop-motion animation.
Mr Brouwer said the film was inspired by online hit “Death Star Canteen”, which is a Lego animation set to comedian Eddie Izzard’s sketch about Darth Vader’s quest for penne all’ arrabbiata.While Star Wars fans around the world celebrated May the 4th - international Star Wars Day - with screenings and costumes, Los Angeles-based fanatic Dan Steininger did so with a very unique approach.The Lego Master Builder - one of only seven in the world - flew into Australia from the US to break the world record for the largest Darth Vader and Yoda figures ever created with the colourful building blocks. His Darth Vader figure stood at four metres high and Yoda at two metres - an impressive feat for the 58-year-old who gets 'paid to play'. Record breaker: The huge Darth Vader and Yoda figures were build by Lego Master Builder Dan Steininger (pictured in Sydney) 'Paid to play': Lego Master Builder Dan Steininger celebrating Star Wars Day - May the 4th - at Westfield Penrith, Sydney
Made of Lego, it is: One of his creations was a two metre high Yoda figure made from Lego Steininger's story is a one kidault dreams are made of.First exposed to Lego when his son was seven-years-old, he became so passionate about the medium that he left a lucrative job in sales for a 'minimum wage' entry-level position at the Lego store. 'I had four kids at the time, a mortgage, and when I told my wife that I wanted to leave a job where I made twice as much to build Lego for a living she was like "You want to do what exactly?"' he told MailOnline. 'I wish I could explain it, but I think there's something in snapping those bricks together that’s so satisfying. On top of the world! Dan poses next to his giant Darth Vader Lego figure Use the force: The 58-year-old creating the world record breaking four metre tall Darth Vader Lego sculpture Death Star Darth: The famous villain was first brought to life in George Lucas 1977 film Star Wars IV: A New Hope 'In my mind, it's all that’s right with the world: you snap those two bricks together and it fits, it's a solid connection.
Several years on, the risk has paid off for Steininger who is one of only seven Lego Master Builders in the world and is flown around the globe to create impressive models for children and parents alike. 'The simplest way to explain it is I get paid to play,' he said.'When my kids were young and in school I had rock star status. 'When you meet mum and dads they get so excited that someone gets paid to do what their child has a passion for. 'I came from a background in art and sculpting, but a lot these kids go on to work in architecture or engineering as they have that gift to see things in three dimensions.' Fan celebrations: Steininger using the dark side of the force at May the 4th celebrations in Australia Enduring popularity: The Star Wars saga has gone on to become a pop cultural icon Visiting Australia for May the 4th Star Wars celebrations was a dream come true for Steininger, who considers George Lucas' seminal space opera one of his other passions. 'There were lines around the block to see the movie, which was unheard of at the time,' he said, talking about the first 1977 release.
'I remember seeing Star Wars IV: A New Hope with friends and walking out of the cinema taking about how we needed to immediately go and see it again because there were no doubt things that we missed.'The good versus evil narrative, this little Yoda character stealing the hearts of young and old alike, it became a cultural icon.' Boba Fett: Fans of the science fiction space opera came together for the international day of celebration Role call: The film's original stars (L - R) Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford are returning for the new series of Star Wars movies With the original trilogy - the prequel films - and now a whole new set of three films to be directed by Star Trek and Lost filmmaker J.J. Abrams, Steininger said he's excited to see 'new life' brought to the saga. 'To have fresh eyes looking at it and Disney involved as they own the rights, there's definitely opportunity there,' he said. The cast of the new Star Wars saga includes original stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Peter Mayhew, with newcomers John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver and Domhnall Gleeson added to the mix.