It takes an artistic eye to look at an ordinary wall and see potential spaces for art in the fissures between the bricks. Some artists see the blank spaces between objects as zones where new ideas can emerge. M.C. Escher used white space as a central part of his artwork.
Now, in cities around the world, artists are using plastic bricks to fill in empty spaces and “patch” broken walls and monuments. These “dispatchers” have collected their handiwork on a website which includes their manifesto:
I don’t enjoy living in dull and grey cities. Do you? Have you noticed that toys for kids are generally very shiny and colorful? I wonder why that is, given that they are to be brought up to live in mostly dull and gray cities as adults. Since I lived in many of such cities, I am seeking to improve the appearance of public spaces in different ways, in terms of what I consider improvement. Dispatchwork aims to seal fissures in broken walls worldwide, completing the material compilation in urban constructing and adding color to the urban greyscales.
Like Buddhist sand mandalas, the repairs are intended to be temporary. Because the plastic will end up in our water systems eventually, I’d like to see this group experiment with biodegradable LEGOs. Unfortunately, the only biodegradable LEGO-style bricks that exist are a dull shade of brown. Only their scent is attractive; apparently, they smell like green tea.
Since living in Chicago, I have been interested in art projects that reclaim damaged parts of city landscapes. There are many ways to introduce art into cities, including turning vacant lots into parks and yarn bombing.
I participated in a Dispatchers project in Beverly, Massachusetts this weekend. We decorated the entrance of a graffiti-covered building with LEGO-shaped stickers.
Dispatchers standing next to an entrance covered with LEGO-style stickers.
We also inserted LEGOs into the foundation of a building at the Montserrat College of Art, as well as some other buildings including the Unitarian church on Cabot Street. We used friction and a small amount of silicone caulk to hold the LEGOs in place.
Inserting LEGO bricks into the foundation of the Montserrat College of Art’s Hardie Building.
Curious about whether Dispatchers have been at work in your city? Explore the Dispatchwork website for more details and photos of the installations. Many of the installations are in Europe, but some are in Asia, the Middle East, and North America.
Art can be found anywhere and I believe the younger generations are the ones that are the most creative. Even the Graffiti is art. Expect for the gang slogans. I like the Lego idea, and I believe that as the years go on we will see more creative ideas for art on regular structures.
I agree, I think ideas like this are going to catch on!
I think this is a truly amazing idea and will definitely get people to start thinking about their community. The “temporary fixes” could inspire real improvements and changes. These small patches of color might inspire more community art funded by governmental agencies or by citizens themselves. Art with a greater purpose! Awesome!
I think that they could inspire other community art projects too.
Definitely! Community art is my favorite, there’s so much potential.
The most interesting form of art I’ve heard about in ages, very inspirational.
Reblogged this on Alley Gallery Kids.
Very cool. Congrats on being freshly pressed.
Thank you.
Street art, such as graffiti, is beautiful and can really make a city. Great article and concept
Thanks! The Dispatchers project is really interesting.
this is so creative and it’s something that everyone can enjoy. you’re using something inconspicuous, inexpensive and bright
children will love this and it’s the sort of thing that will catch anyone’s eye and give them a little giggle 
wish they would do this in some areas where I live, though there are versions of this idea. greetings from the UK, btw! i really like this, great job guys, i hope this catches on! 
It seems like yarn bombing is more common in the UK than it is here. Maybe there is some of that near you.
Great idea. There is always space for such happy, colourful little additions to our everyday world. Thanks for sharing!
Creativity must flourish.
Art should be everywhere, walls, paths, vehicles, and even in cartoons.
http://www.cartoonmick.wordpress.com
Cheers
Mick
So cool, thanks for sharing man!
YW!
Love the Lego bricks. I have them all over my house. Biodegradable Legos with color would be great. I have a little engineer at home who also wants to be a mad scientist. This might just work.
We definitely should have colorful biodegradable LEGOs.
this is inspiring!
I think so too!
beautiful decoration
Making the city more playful is great, there is nothing better then going for a wander round city streets and stumbling upon urban art, so much of the art is subtle yet so large and powerful it is effectiveness. Thank you!
Haha. Random. I love it
Thanks.
Very, very cool. Do we have giant lego?
As far as I know, there aren’t any giant ones.
Congrats on Fresh Press. I’ve been wondering lately why we are expected to give up all those brightly colored toys as adults.
Thank you.
I wonder about that too… especially when I am in stores.
That’s very cool! I live in Chicago, too, and there are certainly many places to decorate that are run down or lacking in excitement!
Cheers,
Courtney Hosny
http://www.oneweektocrazy.com
That is so great!
Love it!
Clever, fun ideas! I just love Legos. I wish you could find (make?) some large brick-sized good-for-the-environment Legos that are still colorful. Good luck!
I agree.
wow! great post! lego stickers! can’t wait to see what else you come up with!
http://www.thelifeandvibesof.com
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this is AMAZING. so great.
makes me think of like..yarn bombing. and the other one where ppl stick googly eyes on things. makes me smile so much to see in the street!!! maybe someday i’ll come across some lego! x
Sweet.