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Hello Everyone,
This is my newest creation:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=88264
It's a fortified desert oasis. I've attempted to imbue the entire structure
with a pan-Islamic architectural feel. The style is meant to be representative
of the broader Muslim age cultures of the Middle East (Persian, Chaldean, etc.),
while hints of their Northern and Western Arabesque/Turkish (Saud, Seljik)
conquerors are found throughout.
Like many structures in the Arab world there are two doors in the gate, one to
enter and one to exit. The Minaret has been retroactively added to the western
corner, reflective of the adoption of Islam as the new socio-political paradigm.
The soldiers manning the fortfications are representative of a unified fighting
force, organized and financed by a prominent Sheik, one who has a vested
interest in protecting a valuable water source.
The Oasis being a necessary stopping point on a long journey, has attracted a
number of merchants and travelers. An African Sheik and his Nubian bodyguard
have stopped for an afternoon of rest. Honoring Islamic law, the women are
robed and covered for modesty.
It is a little known fact that the majority of tactical advancements made in the construction of stone fortifications came from the Middle East, and were later imported to the European continent. The Muslim conquerors that swept through the Middle East, and Northern Africa were masterful in their consruction of defensive structures, and the societies created by their absorption of indigenous cultures were ornate, and well ordered.
It's been a long time since I've posted a M.O.C. and I've appreciated hearing from so many of you in my absence. I recently moved into a new home, and all of my Lego was boxed and stored for a very painful 8 months! This is my first M.O.C. since July '03, so if I'm a bit rusty, go easy on me!
Jon Furman
Lugnet #1123
"Use the brick separator, your teeth will thank you later."
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Message has 10 Replies:
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| (...) Very nice - definitely not rusty at all! :) Certainly does feel like you're in the Middle East just from looking at its architecture. I rather liked the way you managed to come up with a hookah. If you're going to Brickfest, you should show (...) (20 years ago, 26-Jun-04, to lugnet.castle)
| | | Re: Sheik's Oasis
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| (...) couches, the arches. My only suggestion would be to add a few more stalls and shops to make a really packed bazaar. Marc Nelson Jr. (20 years ago, 26-Jun-04, to lugnet.castle)
| | | Re: Sheik's Oasis
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| Jon, I absolutely totally love thi! So colorful, so detailed so different! If anything is missing, it seems to me they could use a few building on the inside. Where do they live when they aren't lazing around on those big comfy pillows? Overall (...) (20 years ago, 26-Jun-04, to lugnet.castle)
| | | Re: Sheik's Oasis
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| (...) Looks great! Love the added detail with the hookah's. Not to mention all the other little detailing on the inside. :) Very cool. :) (20 years ago, 26-Jun-04, to lugnet.castle)
| | | Re: Sheik's Oasis
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| (...) Hi Jon, Great MOC! I wasn't aware of your brickshelf ID, so I once I saw the pictures I immediately asked who had made it... it's just awesome! The courtyard reminds me of Cordoba's Grat Mosque, in Spain, and also a bit from a Mosque in (...) (20 years ago, 26-Jun-04, to lugnet.castle)
| | | Re: Sheik's Oasis
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| (...) Very nice, Jon! It takes me back to my days in Algeria, Morocco, and southern Spain. And this would be WAY back -- 1977 and 1978, to be exact. I owned exactly four Lego sets at the time. You went a little overboard with the water pipes. :^) (...) (20 years ago, 26-Jun-04, to lugnet.castle)
| | | Re: Sheik's Oasis
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| Hi Jon. Welcome back! It's been too long since we've got a new Obi-Juan MOC. I especially like the details above this gate: (URL) the way you used technic beams to get the patterns in this tower: (URL) your varied torsos--Adventurers' mummy, Ninja (...) (20 years ago, 28-Jun-04, to lugnet.castle)
| | | Re: Sheik's Oasis
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| (...) Jon, Welcome back, and what a re-entrance. This is great, a wonderful use of tan and turbans and scimitars. Thanks, George (20 years ago, 28-Jun-04, to lugnet.castle)
| | | Re: Sheik's Oasis
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| (...) <SNIP> Hi Jon, there have been several posts now regarding your newest creation. Just wanted to add my appreciation to all the others. I like very much the Middle East mood you grabbed with this MOC. And there are a lot of nice details which I (...) (20 years ago, 29-Jun-04, to lugnet.castle)
| | | Re: Sheik's Oasis
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| (...) Very nice! But boy - talk about the mind playing tricks on you! I thought your subject line said "SHREK's Oasis." lol I was expecting to see Donkey being annoying as usual. Bob (20 years ago, 29-Jun-04, to lugnet.castle)
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