Yet again, the Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC) is raising the bar with its latest exhibit, “Animal Super Powers.” This LEGO exhibit showcases various “larger-than-life-sized” animal sculptures, built by full-time LEGO artist Sean Kenney, that visitors can interact with.
RMSC director of exhibits Calvin Uzelmeier talked to (585) Kids about why this exhibit was selected.
“We do quite a bit of research to see what’s out there. What’s been really popular? What is what? What have visitors and other museums really liked? We’ve done surveys with our own audience here in Rochester, through social media and through email, to find out topics that our community is interested in. And so—we choose our travelers based on that,” Uzelmeier says. “There’s been a lot of interest in animals.”
Whether young or old, anyone can enjoy this exhibit, he says.
“We also really like this kind of creative play and build and giving people the opportunity to explore their imaginations with this toy with brick that so many of us are familiar with and many of us still play with as adults,” Uzelmeier says.
Through LEGO bricks, this exhibit will allow children and adults alike to dive into the colorful, imaginative world of LEGOS and learn hands-on about the different types of animals and their unique “super powers.” Starting September 27, visitors can walk through countless large LEGO displays of their favorite animals, ranging from pandas to mountain goats. Even some plants, like the Venus flytrap, will be featured in this exhibit.
As visitors explore, they can learn about different animals’ super powers. For example, did you know that tree frogs have sticky toes? Or that mountain goats can climb steep cliffs? These cool abilities are what make each animal special and unique, helping them to survive and adapt to their environment.
“These are giant LEGO sculptures of animals. In some cases they might be full-size renditions. In other cases they might be blown up, like a dragonfly,” Uzelmeier says. “The biggest one is the polar bear, which is over 133,000 bricks.”
Uzelmeier says that sculpture took about 852 hours to build, while the smallest sculpture, a Koi fish, took only eighteen hours and 1,900 bricks to build.
Anyone can be a LEGO artist! At this new exhibit, there will be special tables for kids to build their own sculptures, just like Kenney.
“Not only will visitors be able to come and marvel at the incredible sculptures, done by the artist John Kenney, but there will also be lots of build tables where they can build their own things and explore their own curiosities,” he says.
These interactive elements invite visitors to directly engage with the sculptures and displays. Whether constructing a wild animal or a unique creation, these hands-on activities offer a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the joy of creative play and problem-solving.
Each sculpture in the exhibit, from the detailed tree frog to the magnificent polar bear, highlights a different “super power” of the animal kingdom. These educational aspects are seamlessly integrated into the exhibit, proving that learning about animal adaptations can be both fun and memorable.
“We also really like this idea of kind of creative play and build, giving people the opportunity to explore their imaginations,” he says.
In addition to Kenney’s sculptures and interactive LEGO building tables, RMSC is also adding a damselfly sculpture from its own collection.
“One of the things that we always do with any traveling exhibition, we always like to make it kind of uniquely Rochester,” Uzeglmeier says.
This blend of global artistry and local pride ensures this display to be a uniquely engaging experience. This temporary exhibit is perfect for anyone who likes animals, LEGOs, art, or all three, to have some interactive fun and discover the super powers of the animal kingdom.
“Animal Super Powers” at RMSC is a must-see! Visitors can dive into a world of giant LEGO sculptures and interactive fun, learning the unique abilities of animals while also unleashing their own creativity. From towering polar bears to delicate Koi fish, this exhibit promises an unforgettable adventure for all ages. The exhibit is open through April 27, 2025. Don’t miss your chance to build, learn, and be amazed!
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