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Attention all Utahns and Lego enthusiasts, the multiple award-winning Nature Connects exhibit is traveling across the U.S., Europe and Asia and landing in the Red Butte Garden this June for a summer stint that is sure to amaze and inspire all that lay eyes on it.
Lego-certified professional and artist Sean Kenney reveals the interconnections between insects, plants, animals and the world around us with colorful, intricate designs all fashioned from millions of Legos — 3 million to be precise, according to TimeOut.com.
The connections between creations
The Nature Connects exhibition seamlessly integrates more than 450,000 Lego brick pieces in plant, animal and insect forms throughout the beautiful Red Butte Garden. The exhibition will include 14 eye-opening installations showcasing the ethereal connections between life on earth.
"Just as Lego pieces interconnect, everything in nature is interconnected in a delicate balance. Insects and plants have important relationships; different species of animals have special relationships with each other."
“Just as Lego pieces interconnect, everything in nature is interconnected in a delicate balance. Insects and plants have important relationships; different species of animals have special relationships with each other; animals have connections with their families just like we do….people have a connection with nature, whether you're trimming a bonsai tree or planting a garden, or anything else: you are a part of nature,” says Kenney.
About the venue
Situated on the exquisite grounds of the University of Utah, the Red Butte Garden is the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West. Its rich estate is filled with gardens, a waterfall and pond and 5 miles of hiking trails, reports VisitSaltLake.com.
Red Butte Garden is also ranked as one of the Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City by U.S. News and World Report, and is the perfect landscape for this larger-than-life exhibit.
Red Butte Garden staff have been hard at work for over a year choosing the optimum locations for the sculptures and receiving each of the pieces of the exhibit Kenney pre-built and shipped for placement. The result of all this work and effort is nothing short of stunning.
Opening day attractions and fun
To kick off the opening day of the Nature Connects exhibit, Red Butte Garden will offer a variety of fun Lego-inspired activities for all to enjoy. Some of the offerings for opening day include:
- Guess How Many Bricks: Visitor Center, 10-3 p.m.
- Brick Build Contest Showcase: Orangerie, 10-3 p.m
- Nature Connects Walking Tours: Courtyard, 10-11 a.m. & 1-2 p.m.
- Lego Brick Steam Activities: Sprout House, 10-3 p.m
- Lego Brick Challenge: throughout the garden, 10-2 p.m
- Play-Well Teknologies: Orangerie, 10-1 p.m
- Duke’s Italian Ice: available throughout the day.
About the artist
Kenney is best known for his authentic use of Lego pieces to design modern sculpture commissioned by major corporations, high-profile clients and global venues for more than 10 years.
His renowned traveling exhibition, Nature Connects, has been touring North America, Asia and Europe since 2012, and it has been featured in publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, PBS Arts, BBC Arts, NHK Japan, ELLE and Wired, as listed on SeanKenney.com.
Not only a respected, award-winning artist, Kenney has also authored nine successful children's books and guest-judged a reality TV show.
Supporting the mission of the Red Butte Garden to “connect people with plants and the beauty of living landscapes,” the Nature Connects exhibit offers visitors of all ages a unique and engaging adventure sure to inspire minds for years to come.
