What do you think of when you hear the name Fernando Amorsolo? The “Dalagang Bukid,” “Bayanihan,” or “Early Traders” must be on your mind.
BAYANIHAN - LEGO mosaic rendition of Amorsolo's Bayanihan, 1959, on exhibition as part of the Project AMORsolo. (MB/Pancho Parian)
The three masterpieces of the first Filipino National Artist – also known as the Grand Old Man of Philippine Art – are recreated on some 250,000 LEGO bricks – attracting more than casual attention from visitors, some of them who did not even think they will spend part of their day viewing the exhibit at the Manila City Hall.
EARLY TRADERS - LEGO mosaic rendition of Amorsolo's Early Traders, 1948, on exhibition as part of the Project AMORsolo at the second floor of Bulwagang Rodriguez, Manila City Hall (Clock Tower). (MB/Pancho Parian)
“Bayanihan” depicts the Bayanihan spirit of Filipinos; “Early Traders,” the trade between the West and the Philippine Islands through the galleon; and “Dalagang Bukid” is the concept of a beautiful Filipina.
DALAGANG BUKID - LEGO mosaic rendition of Amorsolo's Dalagang Bukid, 1949, part of Project AMORsolo exhibit at the 2nd floor of Bulwagang Rodriguez, Manila City Hall (Clock Tower). (MB/Pancho Parian)
A woman who was at the city hall for a transaction at the mayor’s office was drawn to visit the exhibit. “I was amazed when I saw it,” said Elma Nitez, 69, a retired government employee who loves art.
A Lego fan, Adrian Miranda, 47, visited the exhibit with his family, coming all the way from Dasmariñas, Cavite. He said “Lego for us is a chance to bond as a family.” Now he plans to bring friends to see the Amorsolo paintings recreated on Lego bricks.
The man behind this project is Leslie Leshen Araujo, president and LAN (LEGO Ambassador Network) ambassador of PinoyLUG (LEGO User Group). “We are giving importance to the past by making them have a more modern interpretation for the generation today,” he said.
He named it “Project AMORsolo” and he said the project took a year to complete from start to finish, done during the pandemic. Three teams were assigned to the artwork – each consisting of more than 30 people per group– young, senior citizens, priests, accountants, and doctors who participated in the project.
AMORSOLO MASTERPIECE - Visitors appreciate Amorsolo's Masterpieces recreated using LEGO bricks as part of Project AMORsolo exhibit at the 2nd floor of , Manila City Hall (Clock Tower). (MB/Pancho Parian)
He said that recreating “Bayanihan” gave a whole new meaning to cooperation. Like the interlocking bricks, the contribution of each member proved important and combined their works to create a cohesive piece.
He also noted that “Dalagang Bukid” was done by an all-female team.
Araujo, in an interview with Manila Bulletin, said the idea came from his visit to the LEGO House in Denmark. “I was really inspired by what they do, I felt the need to go back there and bring something from the Philippine culture and identity that we can share with the world,” he said.
The idea to make the rendition in LEGO bricks started when he discovered the vintage postcards featuring some of Amorsolo’s work during the Covid lockdown. “I was cleaning our old house in Manila, then I found this old postcard collection of my dad.”
AMORSOLO MASTERPIECE - Visitors take a selfie in front of Amorsolo's masterpieces using LEGO bricks as part of Project AMORsolo exhibit at the Manila City Hall (Clock Tower). (MB/Pancho Parian)
He aims to have the Amorsolo project reach Denmark, the birthplace of LEGO.
“I’m happy to have the opportunity to display it and have a lot of people get curious about it -- make them realize that there other means to be creative,” he said.
“It’s a different perspective on appreciating works of art of our National Artist,” said Ronald Flores, chief tourism operations officer of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila.
“I am happy to introduce Fernando Amorsolo to those in this generation who don’t know him,” Araujo added.
PinoyLUG, in partnership with the Fernando C. Amorsolo Art Foundation, Inc., and the City Government of Manila, opened Project AMORsolo on Feb. 16, in line with the city’s celebration of National Arts Month.
According to Araujo, the Manila City Hall is the 16th exhibition venue of the project.
Project AMORsolo runs until Feb. 28. It is open 8 to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, at the 2nd floor pf the Bulwagang Rodriguez, Manila City Hall (Clock Tower). (Pancho Parian)