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| | Though the hit counter at Brickshelf might not show it, this creation has been the subject of a lot of attention. This attention has come not only from folks in the AFOL community, but other artists have commented on it as well. I’m often not sure how to take it—are people just encouraging me? Do they really appreciate it? The model itself is not meant to be complex or ground-breaking. A builder with any skill could reproduce it quickly, I’m sure. But Emerge is important to me. I’ve told this story to a few people, and I believe they found it interesting, so I thought I’d pass it along.
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A few years ago, I had reached an emotional rock-bottom. Several events had
brought me to that point, but for the most part the blame was all on me. I
wallowed in a lot of shame and self-pity to the point that I continued to make
things worse. Eventually, I new something had to break. I couldn’t keep going
on the way I was. I don’t think I’m the only person who has been in this place.
Maybe it’s just the human condition. But perhaps what distinguishes us is the
way we come through it. I decided at some point that I would not be a victim.
I made a conscious decision to fight through what was happening.
At some point during all of this, I sat down to build. For the first time, I
tried to express myself with a creation. Emerge was the result; I wasn’t sure
where my life was going but I knew I would emerge a new person—and I have. I
look, act, and feel different. My perspective has changed considerably. I’m
happy, strong, and confident. I even build different now.
The response from fellow AFOLs was very encouraging. I believe that several
people appreciated (if not the model itself) the direction I was attempting to
go with my building. A direction I’m still developing and having a lot of fun
with.
The first edition of the creation was donated to a fund raiser for science
education in Houston. The woman who bought it approached me and asked me to
explain it. She told me, “I have a feeling you’re saying something with this
and I want to make sure I understand it.” I related to her what is written
above. She then told me, “You know, today was the first time I left my house in
two years for something besides a medical appointment. I was in a bad car
accident and my life has been nothing but the recovery process ever since.
Today is the first day I’m getting back to some semblance of a normal life. So
in a way, it’s like I’m emerging as a new person as well.” It was a very
touching moment.
My wife was not pleased that I sold Emerge. She demanded I make another
immediately. The second edition was taken to House of Bricks. At that event I
met Shari Caudron, a freelance writer. She is
currently writing a book tentatively titled Who are these people? that will
detail her experience spending time with communities centered on- what some
would consider- odd hobbies. She spent a lot of time with us at House of Bricks
and interviewed all of the AFOLs present. The last day, I asked her if she was
going to be kind or harsh in her analysis of the AFOL community. She told me
that, as with the other communities she covered, the passion and excitement we
felt for what we do was infectious and the coverage would all be positive. I
had told her the tale of Emerge thus far in one of her interviews. She asked me
if she could buy it, stating that the story and creation really touched her.
For things going on in her own life and the experiences she had gathering
material for her book, she felt she was emerging a new person with a new
perspective on life. I gave her the model for the promise of one of the first
copies of the book when it was published.
No, my wife was not pleased by this-- especially since I could have profited for
it all. But, as I’ve said, Emerge is a simple model and the third copy will
be done shortly. So, Emerge is important to me for a number of reasons. It
represents the first attempt I made using LEGO for self-expression. It captures
a moment in my life that was a major turning point. And the story itself seems
to continually emerge into a new meaning for me.
The sculpture itself was never intended to make waves. I’ll not attempt to say
that anything I create is particularly earth-shaking. But in simplicity, simple
concepts can be communicated; concepts like
change,
inward reflection, and
unconditional love. So,
hopefully, this has been a mildly interesting story for you to read. But, also,
take it as a thank you for all of the inspiration, encouragement, and friendship
I have received from many of you that has fueled my intention to move forward in
building and in other ways.
Felix Greco
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Message has 3 Replies:
 | | Re: About Emerge
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| Felix, I have always thought that this sculpture really captures a very significant personal experience in a very simple, clear and visually pleasing way, and I have also always thought that it was under-appreciated, and that it should have won (...) (20 years ago, 22-May-05, to lugnet.build.sculpture, FTX)
| | | Re: About Emerge
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| In lugnet.build.sculpture, Felix Greco wrote: SNIP (...) Felix, Thank you so much for sharing that background to that MOC. During the frantic pace of an event such as BrickFest, I find that often I just never have the chance to make the comments to (...) (20 years ago, 23-May-05, to lugnet.build.sculpture, FTX)
| | | Re: About Emerge
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| Hey Felix, Thanks for sharing this. Good to hear you're enjoying your new MOC direction.. From a selfish point of view I hope this doesn't take you away from aquazone : ) And on a completely irrelevant note: I can't believe I missed getting to meet (...) (20 years ago, 23-May-05, to lugnet.build.sculpture, FTX)
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