EVENT LOG: ORIENTE IN BRICKS

 EVENT LOG: ORIENTE IN BRICKS

On January 25th and 26th, the first edition of Oriente in Bricks was held in Gardone Riviera, an event with an oriental theme that embraced many aspects of Japanese culture, going far beyond the world of LEGO® bricks.

The stunning Villa Alba, overlooking Lake Garda from the Brescia side, provided the perfect setting for the event. The initiative came to life thanks to the unstoppable energy of Suky (Ryoo Kyeong Sook Silvia Bravi on Facebook), a dear friend and true expert in LEGO® creations, who, together with the Franciacorta Bricks APS association, formed a winning partnership to bring to life one of the most captivating LEGO® themed exhibitions ever seen in Italy.

The location, Villa Alba

This year, in celebration of the upcoming World Expo in Osaka, all the towns along the shores of Lake Garda have chosen to establish a symbolic twinning with the Japanese city.

In this context, Suky took on one of her most ambitious challenges yet: organizing an exhibition built entirely with LEGO® bricks, featuring only creations inspired by Japan.

Naturally, she chose her hometown, Gardone Riviera, as the stage for the event. But she didn’t stop at showcasing some of the most representative LEGO® models, she enriched the experience by including paintings, origami, books, manga, and many other elements of Japanese culture, offering the large crowd an immersive and captivating exhibition inside the elegant halls of Villa Alba.

Sometimes, however, even the best ideas can’t be brought to life without the support of skilled organizers, like Giuseppe Di Marzio, president of the Franciacorta Bricks APS association. He told me more than once, half-jokingly, that he lost ten years of his life trying to bring the event to a successful conclusion.

For this reason, I want to sincerely thank him and offer my heartfelt compliments for the outstanding organization. His professionalism, combined with tireless passion, made it possible to turn such an ambitious and memorable event into a reality.

In the gallery below, you can admire all the beauty beyond the bricks… without a single STUD sticking out to ruin the magic!

The initiative conceived by Suky was sponsored by the Municipality of Gardone Riviera and brought to life thanks also to the invaluable support of the local Pro Loco and the Franciacorta Bricks APS association, whom I personally thank for their outstanding efficiency and professionalism across the board. They took care of every detail, from setting up the tables and preparing the LEGO® workshops to managing the catering and much more.

No more chit-chat, let’s dive right into discovering just how much “plasticity” characterized the event. The exhibition was spread across two distinct levels, each with its own unique atmosphere and purpose.

On the lower floor was the main exhibition area, where the most impressive LEGO® brick creations were displayed alongside a rich selection of memorabilia related to Japanese culture. Here, visitors could admire unique models, artistic works, and symbolic objects that told stories of tradition and innovation.

Upstairs, most of the recreational and commercial activities took place: workshops for both adults and children, spaces for cultural meetings and exchanges, as well as stands offering themed products and gadgets. It was a dynamic and lively environment designed to engage and entertain the audience in an interactive and fun way.

The hall

First of all, it’s worth mentioning that the large dioramas did not disappoint, starting with the one curated by the MOCbricks association.

This was a major collaboration among passionate AFOLs who brought to life nearly ten meters of display, covering both medieval and modern themes, including temples and even a representation of a city in the style of Ninjago City.

Some of these heroes are listed below, though not everyone could participate: Diego Guerzoni (Diego Francisco), Claudio Veronesi, Luca Malaguti, Alessandra Travaglia, Luca Ferretti, Giacomo Zauner, Giacomo Bonfatti, Alessandro Molinari, and several other Mocbricks members.

When dear Suky told me about the project she was about to undertake, a thought immediately crossed my mind: an event like this wouldn’t be complete without the work of builder Andrea Valentini. Not everyone knows him, not even Suky herself, but luckily I “discovered” him back in 2019 at the MEI in Verona, and since then I’ve been following him with great admiration.

To make a long story short, his diorama is a true and faithful representation of medieval Japan, especially in its oldest section. Naturally, Andrea also included a version of a modern city, vibrant, colorful, and chaotic, much like the bustling Ninjago-themed cities I love.

I deeply admire Andrea’s work, and I didn’t hesitate for a moment to award him the PREMIUM BRICK, a special recognition reserved only for the most deserving builders.

Massimo Tironi, although unable to attend due to other commitments, still wanted to contribute: he came specifically on Friday evening to set up his bonsai display, even though he wasn't able to enjoy seeing it during the event.
Andrea Cereda was also absent in person, but took part with one of his beautiful MOCs: a striking sakura tree (it’s the first one in the gallery).

Another talented builder featured at the event, thanks to my recommendation, was Paloma Basile, who brought her wonderful ongoing saga of themed landscapes. Here too, you can find both a traditional section and one dedicated to modern life. Her work is a true work in progress and, in my opinion, will never truly be finished.

I invite you to enjoy the gallery I’ve dedicated to her—a small journey through her extraordinary creative world.

The legendary duo of Stefania Marchi and Fabrizio Pedrazza delighted us with a beautiful winter-themed display, perfectly aligned with the oriental theme of the event. Their diorama brings to life a lively traditional folk festival, where colorful fake dragons joyfully dance through the snowy village streets, filling the atmosphere with a blend of tradition and magic.

The attention to detail and their ability to tell a story through bricks make this creation not only a feast for the eyes but also an immersive experience that transports visitors straight into the heart of a Japanese winter celebration.

Beside them was Antonio Mortola, whose contribution with his “Arcadia” brought a touch of nostalgic magic to the hall. Thanks to his creation, the exhibition was able to introduce the world of manga and classic animated series—those very shows that sparked the dreams of entire generations of children like me in the 1980s.

“Arcadia” is not only a tribute to that golden era of animation but also an emotional journey through the characters and atmospheres that marked our childhood, evoking a sense of wonder and nostalgia among older visitors, while sparking curiosity in the younger ones.

Patrick Baroni was also with us, showcasing his stunning creations available for purchase, along with beautiful display cases housing an impressive collection of minifigures crafted by himself. Although his works didn’t follow the event’s theme this time, it was easy to forgive, his craftsmanship and creativity truly spoke for themselves.

His neighbors at the table were Daniele Savoldelli and Alessandra Travaglia, two talented builders who further enriched the event with their creations. Daniele presented a scene inspired by the famous Indiana Jones saga, perfectly capturing the adventurous spirit and epic atmosphere that define the franchise.

Alessandra, on the other hand, brought a selection of smaller yet equally captivating works, demonstrating great attention to detail and an artistic sensitivity that won over the audience. Together, they created a diverse and engaging corner that appealed to enthusiasts of all ages.

Of course, I was there as well, both officially with The Bricks Box and with “The Dragon’s Revenge,” a 4-meter diorama to which I dedicated a total of 650 hours of my free time. Fortunately, the venue allowed the piece to be displayed in a way that it could be admired from all angles, giving visitors the chance to explore it from every perspective.

Thanks to this setup, everyone was able to appreciate even the smallest details, including the hidden thermal caves nestled deep within the main pagoda, revealing the complexity and care I wanted to pour into this project.

As I mentioned earlier, thanks to Antonio Mortola, a different theme was introduced beyond the classic diorama style. Confirming this diversity, in the adjacent room was a true paradise for robot fans. Japan, famously known as the homeland of the iconic giant robot cartoons, naturally couldn’t miss a representation of these legends at Oriente in Bricks.

Marco De Bon and Samuele Atzori are the two leading figures in this field, and I must say, their craftsmanship is truly impressive. I invite you to enjoy the gallery dedicated to their work.

A small note: Samuele’s creations are part of the collection owned by Chioso from Vercelli, which adds an extra special touch to the exhibition.

One drawback was the poor lighting in the room, so I apologize in advance for the less-than-perfect quality of these photos and those that follow, especially for the Bionicle section.

Some members of the Bionicles Italia group, such as Davide Massone and his friend toaku_mocs (an Instagram account), showcased their unique creations made entirely from Bionicle pieces, demonstrating great skill and passion for this specific theme.

The Spare Parts team, represented by Mattia Careddu, bruh_i0nicles, and dv_mocs, also amazed us with truly outstanding creations. Don’t miss the gallery dedicated to their work.

As for the exhibition of the creations, our journey ends here. I now invite you to head upstairs, where you'll find a variety of activities, both playful and commercial.
Among them, don’t miss Brick dal Point, featuring the finest selection of loose bricks and a wide assortment of amazing minifigures and little animals.
Additionally, the team from Fotografia Costruttiva offered both kids and adults the chance to try their hand at creative photography, thanks to specially designed scenes made to be captured with just a smartphone camera.

In short, there wasn’t a single moment where anyone could get bored. In Gardone Riviera  and especially with Oriente in Bricks, boredom simply had no chance, not even by accident.

To wrap things up, I’d like to say a few words about the Franciacorta Bricks APS association: you guys were amazing! You pampered us, spoiled us, kept us well-fed, and filled us with beer, coffee, and aperitifs… I’m heading home truly satisfied and grateful for your warm hospitality.
Great job, truly!