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 | LEGO Ambassador Felix Greco comments on building techniques and interviews a non-traditional builder surrounded by controversy. Article by Felix Greco |
I first ran across the word purism in 1996 when I discovered other adult LEGO builders on the internet. At that time, a LEGO purist was someone who built only with LEGO brand plates and blocks. These purists generally shunned any element that appeared that strayed from this form. More recently, the word purist is used within the AFOL community to describe those builders that will use only LEGO manufactured parts; clones such as Mega Blocks and Tyco are not used and original LEGO pieces remain unmodified. In my experience, most AFOLs define themselves as purists but the definition is often accompanied with a small amount of tweaking. For example, stickers often accompany official sets, but many view their use in original creations as a modification. In a recent discussion at the classic-space forum, I asked users to create a spectrum of their own building philosophy and describe which practices they viewed as off limits and why. The result was that for each participant a grey area existed that was acknowledged as far from purism but still “permissible”. Examples included cutting hoses, use of engraved bricks, and removing print (Brasso). Each builder had a very well defined area they would and would not explore.
| This discussion raised many good points but I was left with the question, why do builders impose limits on themselves? Or more to the point, what prevents builders from exceeding their own limitations? More often than not, builders will mention the quality of LEGO over its competitors as a reason for not incorporating clone brands. Additionally, modification is often frowned upon because reusing a modified piece may not be possible or may limit the builder’s palette in the future. The answer to the above questions is likely complex and would make for a lively debate (or follow-up article). In the classic-space forum discussion, many raised the point that the fun of building with LEGO is finding solutions; how can a specific angle be achieved or how can the right combination of pieces be used to create a specific illusion. In this context, the use of clone products or brick modification would be seen as cheating. Or, because children often mix clones with their LEGO collection and have little compunction about modification, these practices are seen as juvenile. |  |
Use of clone brands and piece modification has always been a hot topic for builders. But the recent introduction of a new builder has spurred a lot more conversation than usual. Online, he’s simply known as nnenn. Because of possible conflicts with his professional career, he asked that his real name be withheld for this article. Nnenn has made many builders reevaluate the use of clones and piece modification. While he primarily uses LEGO pieces in his creations, he has no compunction about using a Mega Blocks piece if it fits. He sometimes details with tape and stickers. If necessary, he cuts
pieces in order to achieve the look he desires.
Outrageous blasphemy! Anathema! An abomination!
I can hear the reactions already. Indeed, the reaction to nnenn has been mixed by most in the space community. Though some are aghast at his technique, almost all recognize him as an outstanding builder. One of the reasons for this is the exceptional quality of nnenn’s creations. While the immediate reaction by some was that his nontraditional techniques were undesirable, he has quickly won over many fans. In addition to being a unique artist, nnenn is very prolific. Just about every week, he is able to produce a new and exciting creation that is outside the norm. The following is an exchange I had with nnenn in order to learn more about him:
BrickJournal: What is your professional background?
nnenn: I am currently a professor of art at a state university. I’ve worked as a graphic designer, freelance illustrator, and gallery artist. Decades ago, I was that “best drawer” kid.
BJ: Why do you build?
nnenn: I build for the same reason I make art: to satisfy my creative drive and feel the joy this process brings. My final creations usually surprise me, as I rarely start with some preconceived idea. But I’m not much of a player; after I finish a model, there is little enjoyment left… so I take a few pictures, give it to my 6-year-old demolition agent, and start something new.
 | BJ: How long have you been building as an adult? And as a follow up, how much has the online AFOL community influenced your building? nnenn: I dug out my bag of 1970s LEGO several years ago for my son to play with. I used them more than he did, but infrequently. About two years ago I found myself building with seriousness and sustained effort. Then I (serendipitously) discovered the online AFOL community and gave myself permission to pursue toy as hobby. This, combined with increasing frustration over my limited collection, led me to drop about a grand on various sets (childhood wish fulfillment felt pretty good I might add.) As my building progressed, I would occasionally lurk through the forums out of curiosity (read psychological suspicion) but not really for specific technique or style: I wasn’t at that level and it did not occur to me. The influence of the AFOL online community came more as inspiration and motivation. Nowadays my creations incorporate every new technique I stumble upon but my subjects remain at my whim. |
BJ: What do you feel distinguishes you as a builder?
nnenn: My subject matter, SNOT work, and polish can all be seen elsewhere; less common are my unofficial materials like tape, tubes, stickers, clones, and modified pieces.
BJ: Do you have a building philosophy? If so what is it?
nnenn: I want my creations to look like miniatures of what they represent: more like models, less like toys. I avoid studs because they are visual identifiers synonymous with “toy,” aesthetically monotonous, and interfere with design. Studs can be useful on occasion, but never as a one-sided coating applied to every creation. I do not enjoy the sculpted look, though I can appreciate it. Although organic shapes can be achieved with rectangular bricks, the “jaggies” are always there. I prefer to use each piece to its unique, best possible potential: if I need a wedge shape, I’ll try to use a wedge piece first.
BJ: What techniques/parts are permissible versus off-limits to you?
nnenn: I use any technique, modification, clone, or material that does not “close” future building opportunities. So gluing a model together is a no-go, but gluing individual parts to create some original, reusable piece is just fine.
BJ: You said you build studless because it identifies your models as toys. So, why use LEGO which is a very toy-like medium (as opposed to clay, glue and plastic, etc.)?
nnenn: Clay, glue, plastic, etc. are sticky, messy, require more time, preparation, clean-up, and are either too heavy, fragile, or fickle. Lego is clean, instant, and reusable. After I finish a model, there is little enjoyment left, so the bricks return to my
collection: the only thing I want left from old models are photos. To the modeling community my creations may look toyish, but I’m not interested in their ultra-realism. I prefer a depiction akin to good concept art: something sufficient enough to help suspend disbelief and take the imagination for a ride.
BJ: Is your interest in lego building purely science fiction (space) related? Are you attracted to any other themes or ideas? Also, what is it about science fiction building that appeals to you?
nnenn: Actually, I don’t read science-fiction, follow space events, or think much about it; I endure an occasional movie for the eye- candy. My interest is mostly in the visuals: for me, science-fiction has greater opportunity for unique formal expression than other themes. An unexplored universe seems the ultimate fertile field ready for the imaginative: almost anything can be depicted. Other building areas tend to channel creativity into personal variations on established tropes of their genre. Note: I could create pure, non- representational arrangements, but the disconnect from human experience is too alien (no pun intended) and would get the confused response modern art tends to gather.
| BJ: When I had asked how the AFOL community affected your building, I had a hypothesis in mind: Because you already have a high degree of artistic ability, my guess is that you are not subject to the same mores/anathema as most AFOLs because you independently evolved your building style. Would you say that is correct? I, for example, have fostered my building style with years of feedback from other AFOLs. Hence, I tend to build more like them. nnenn: Yes, I think you’re mostly right. Designing something by committee is a two-edged sword; it immediately eliminates the extremes, both positive and negative. An amateur builder that takes feedback will eventually match the community’s quality or style; but conversely, a building savant, visionary (or uniqueness in general) will only be stifled in the same environment. I’m mostly the former, but occasionally feel like the latter. Also, my background as an artist has trained me to pull away from the mainstream, so I sometimes purposefully lean towards creations that may be not as universal. |  |
The controversy surrounding nnenn resulted in a heated debate at the classic-space forum. Mostly due to this debate, a new forum called the Mutant Hive was created at CSF. According to the forum directive, “The Mutant Hive exists as a forum for MOCs that contain: Clones (non Lego Elements), Cut bricks (Lego elements altered), Crafts (using non building materials for attaching elements) or any Combo of these.” The directive adds “Do not come in here to complain about the elements used here. This is what the forum is for.”—an indication of the disagreement nnenn’s creations have encountered.
BJ: How do you feel about the recent controversy at CSF in which your name came up quite a bit? Is the creation of the new Mutant Hive a good idea, an attempt to marginalize you… or something else in your opinion?
nnenn: Well, the controversy is petty. And right now the “Mutant Hive” seems to be an afterthought and an unwanted compromise thrown up to appease a resistant majority. In chat I have been the target of quite a bit of derogatory comments from a certain established group. I’m not exactly sure why my building style elicits such personal meanness, but I have my theories.
BJ: Why do you believe builders impose limitations on themselves? My guess is that most people are just trying to ‘fit in’ by doing what is commonly acceptable. But, ‘commonly acceptable’ is just the style of long time builders and contributors like the CSF moderators. Those guys are personal friends so I’m not going to attack them, but I don’t think they realize how influential everything they say and do is to space builders as a whole.
nnenn: Remember what I said about convention and exclusivity? Both can be great human failings and will often control the unwary mind. A great deal of my teaching is spent trying to create critical- thinkers of students, that otherwise will behave and make decisions “because that’s the way it’s been done.” Great leaders, however, are aware of this and strive to allow for better unities and positive changes. I don’t think CSF has these type of leaders. A few years hindsight will tell us that the clone/mods issue didn’t need all this attention. I don’t think either one of us seriously imagine CSF breaking down into a “bubblegum, string, and kitbashing” site. Perhaps some foolishly do, and is the reason why they get so upset
about it. Or perhaps someone simply has their underwear on too tight… we’re talking about toys and fun for god’s sake, not human- rights decisions. The word “chill” comes to mind.
I believe most AFOLs would give the advice “build as you please.”And yet, even in mentioning that I was writing an article about a builder who used clones and modified pieces, friends of mine were cynical and had harsh things to say. Nnenn’s work will undoubtedly continue to create debate among many. As I reviewed nnenn’s creations and got to know more about him I found myself introspective about my own creations. Why won’t I use clones? Why won’t I modify pieces? After ten years of building as an adult, its hard for me to break old habits. But the fact that I’m asking myself these questions is a testament to the powerful effect a good builder can have on others.
You can see nnenn’s models at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nnenn/
Other links:
Classic-space.com
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