By: Serge Guenette

Let Loose Your Inner Child

TAGS: LET LOOSE YOUR INNER CHILD

CNN has called it one of its top 10 “global must-see exhibitions” and it’s right here in Ottawa.

“It” is the fantastic display at the Canada Science and Technology Museum featuring artworks created from one of the world’s most recognizable children’s toys: Lego. Called Art of the Brick, it’s the brainchild of artist Nathan Sawaya, a corporate lawyer-turned-artist whose works grew from a need for a creative outlet after a long day at the office.

The exhibit is the world's largest display of Lego art ever and features original pieces as well as re-imagined versions of famous art masterpieces like Van Gogh's Starry Night and Da Vinci's Mona Lisa. There’s also a gallery showcasing an innovative, multimedia collection of Lego brick-infused photography produced in tandem with award-winning photographer Dean West.

The biggest piece in the show is a Tyrannosaurus rex that took Sawaya an entire summer to create, although most artworks take him a more manageable two or three weeks and can contain tens of thousands of pieces.

But if you want to catch this fun find, you’ll need to act soon, because the exhibit is only here until Sept. 3. Regular admission rates apply and free passes or discount coupons are not accepted.

The museum recommends budgeting about 75 minutes to explore the exhibit, plus a little more time to play in Block Party — an interactive build space.

So, go on, let loose your inner child; just don’t pull these bricks apart!