Piazza San Marco and the Grotto of San Giovanni with Lego: the works of Maurizio Lampis on display

Is it possible to faithfully reproduce the facade of the Grotto of San Giovanni with a mosaic painting made only of Lego bricks? It seems so, at least looking at the amazing work created in 3 months (working 3 hours a day with 22 thousand bricks) by Maurizio Lampis, president of the Karalisbrick brick museum and the greatest “builder” in Sardinia of exceptional dioramas created with the iconic colored bricks.

“The further you move away, the more you notice the similarities with the original,” says the creator during today's inauguration of his “Lego Art Exhibition” which will remain visible at the granary hill of Piazza Matteotti in Domusnovas practically until May 18.

Lampis is not exaggerating: even up close, the comparison of the work with a photo of the cave is incredible, but taking a few steps back you are literally amazed to also notice all the plays of light, the incredible chromatic effects of the vegetation on the sandstone walls and the entrance to the hypogeum reproduced with various shades of black. The Domusnovese cave, "the 26th monument commissioned to me in Sardinia" recalls Lampis, is only one of the approximately 40 wonders that can be admired in the vast rooms of the granitic mountain.

In fact, just take a few steps to come across an immense and sumptuous medieval castle (95 thousand pieces, 85 kilos in weight, 8 months to create) in which the small details are as spectacular as the work in its entirety. Next to it, no less, there is also an incredible “Giza Plateau” with its three large pyramids, an impressive Piazza San Marco in Venice (2.80 metres x 1 metre, 170 thousand bricks, 8 months of work), and also the Titanic when it hits the great iceberg, the elephant tower of Cagliari, a bust of Giva Riva autographed by Rombo di Tuono shortly before his death (“the most difficult work of all to make”, reveals Lampis) and other masterpieces, each with a photo of the original work next to it so that comparisons can be made. There are many enthusiasts and the curious present to admire the works and bombard the builder with questions.

Alessandro Noviselli and Lavinia Speranza came especially from Cagliari: "We have been following Maurizio since he started, his creations are incredible. We are a bit obsessed, we play with the various kits, even modifying those from the "Technic" series, but we never manage to create anything similar". Virgilio Vincis from Assemini would like to observe the creations but is too busy following his son Francesco who is constantly walking around the enormous medieval castle. Stefano Culeddu, also from Assemini, brought his 12-year-old son Riccardo to the exhibition. The young man has no doubts: for him "the most beautiful work is the red telephone booth, also because I had never seen one before".

On a 1 to 1 scale, the London cabin is one of only two in the world made with Lego: “The other one,” explains Lampis, “is at the Lego Store in London.” When asked about the ductility of the bricks, the builder, who gets his supplies mainly from Germany, quickly replies: “Thanks to the evolution of material kits, you can now create anything with Lego and you can do it like I do without using software or applications that make things easier, but only using photographic material and a lot of passion.” Why do Lego continue to be successful? It’s a game that allows you to manipulate and build anything. An ageless fun that is passed down from generation to generation and is always up to date.”

Among the many present there was also the mayor Isangela Mascia (honored with a plaque and an original clock from the brick museum): "It was beautiful to see the dreamy and joyful expressions especially of the little ones but also of many adults. For the first time we brought Lego bricks to Domusnovas and, given the enthusiasm, I believe it will not be the last".