Art Museum - The Detroit Institute of Arts: A LEGO® creation by Jim Garrett : MOCpages.com

Art Museum - The Detroit Institute of Arts

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Art Museum - The Detroit Institute of Arts. This MOC depicts the original center section of the art museum building in minifig scale.

About this creation

This building is a selectively scaled down version of the Detroit Institute of Arts on Woodward Avenue. The original structure, completed in 1927, was designed in the Italian style by Paul Philippe Cret. The real thing is really a great musuem with a large collection, which today is almost out of proportion to the size of the city (since Detroit has lost half its population since 1950). Many of the galleries have period styles to them including a medieval courtyard. The murals by Diego Rivera depicting the auto industry are unique.

Click here for information on the real DIA.

If my version of the museum were built to scale, the building would be about 3 times wider and longer. Black granite additions were built from 1966-1970 but due to space restrictions, my model only shows the orginal marble section. The model has a rudimentary interior in which I planned to place reproductions of some art but I have not done so yet. It took about 28 hours over 7 days to build and was completed in November 2004.

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A Ford Anglia drives north on Woodward Avenue past the Detroit Institute of the Arts (DIA). The rather primitive and cubistic rendition of the replica of Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker" sits to the right of the entrance.

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The entrance is covered by three arches resting on four ionic columns. Walls with large marble blocks flank the entrance.

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The real DIA has a hall of suits of armor. The pedestal should have had "The Thinker" on it but I removed it since the Lego version did not turn out so good.

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The rear of the museum which is not very accurate since there is actually a movie theater attached here. I did not include this due to space limitations but instead used architectural ideas from the Detroit Library's main building.

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Skylights cover the Diego Rivera and medieval courtyards. Wait... something funny seems to be going on up on the roof!

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Two people seem to be making off with a large painting!

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"You idiot! You dropped your end and damaged the picture. You upset the old bat!"

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Unfortunately for the would be art thieves, a Detroit PD officer is waiting to take the situation in hand. In reality "Whistler's Mother" by James Abbot McNeill Whistler was exhibited at the DIA in spring 2004 without incident.

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After my first MichLUG train show in November 2004, I replaced the blue roof with a dark grey one for a more realistic appearance.

Comments

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I like it

Daniel Latimer

November 10, 2009

WHAT A REMARKABLE LIKENESS OF THE DIA. SO WHAT IF THE THINKER IS NOT IN FRONT OF IT. THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH YOU CAN DO WITH LEGOS. HAVE YOU SEEN THE LEGO CASTLE EXHIBIT AT THE HENRY FORD MUSEUM IN DEARBORN? IT IS FANTASTIC. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR COMMENTS.

Tom Steger

November 6, 2009

Great job, Jim! This brings a big ol' smile to my face, both as a fan of the DIA and as a fan of Lego creations. Well done and thanks so much for sharing this!

I like it

DIA Lyndsay

September 22, 2009

Jim, this is great! We all love it. I posted this link on our Facebook and Twitter pages. People are asking if they are on view anywhere... Email us : Marketing@dia.org Thanks! and great work!

I like it

Nick Ennobtown

February 12, 2009

I must say, all of your stuff is fantastic, pretty much the closest thing to perfection that I've seen in the City category, along with Sean Kenney's "Greenwich Village" and "Bricktropolis" (the city display in FAO Schwarz). I'm definitely adding you to my favorite builder's list so I can see when you come out with something new, which will hopefully be soon! I've been waiting for something new from you since I finished looking at all your current stuff. Again, excellent job. Oh I almost forgot, I LOVE the brick patterning you did, genius!

I like it

Eli

October 14, 2008

I grew up on 1st and bagley, went to school at Holy Redeemer on the southwest side, so Im a little biased when it comes to the architecture of Detroit! But I must tell you, this is my favorite building in the world, I have spent literally hours staring at the Diego Rivera murals. this mock is fantastic and brings me great joy just seeing it! Awesome!

I like it

Dawei Drake

July 22, 2007

the level of deatil here is breath-taking. ANd I love the block and mortar design you did with the grey plates and white blocks. I've never been to Detroit before, but this makes me want to go. I love it.

I like it

Arthur Gugick

October 22, 2006

DecoJim - I've always been amazingly impressed with your MOC's. I saw your Pyramid on Brickshelf and just wanted to let you know how great your models are. Were you at Brickfest these past two years? Perhaps we met? Your Fisher building may be your crown jewel. It size and detail are incredible. -Arthur

I like it

JP Eiler

October 16, 2005

Coolio!

I like it

Samson Bradley

September 23, 2005

thats the best immpression of a art museum ive ever seen if it was a lego set id buy it its AWSOME!!!

I like it

Casper van Nimwegen

November 21, 2004

A museum with real art outside, it has to be good ;) Like the way you created the mortar effect. More of your work, please :) Casper

I like it

Josh Jenkins

November 21, 2004

I love it.

I like it

Trent Breward

November 21, 2004

Awesome! Just Awesome! I like the painting, was that a custom sticker? Also is there an interior?

I like it

Keith Goldman

November 20, 2004

Make it stop, my cranium is going to explode. So many great details, but my favorite has to be the use of white w/ gray plates as mortar to make those large 'bricks'. This thing is money. Nice robbery scene as well. -Keith

I like it

Chris

November 20, 2004

Wow very nice!! I love the use of plate for brick morter.Overall a good rendition.This will look great in our(MichLTC) layouts!!