Model built for the Fana’Briques’ contest at the 2015 exhibition in Rosheim, Alsace. The Wild West universe was the annual theme chosen by the french association for this edition.
During this contest, the models had to match with the theme and not exceed the dimensions of a gray Lego base plate (i.e. 48 studs x 48 studs), with no height limit.
Designing
I drew inspiration from a small wooden totem pole my mother had brought back from a trip to Canada. Not far from the US border, she had purchased this object made by a Native American tribe.
I did some research online and noticed that there was a kind of logic to most totem poles made by Native Americans: a human being was often symbolized at the base of the pole, followed by other animals like wolves, bears, and sometimes smaller animals, and generally, at the top of the pole, an eagle or a large bird with outstretched wings.
Taking inspiration from these elements, I started by creating a large Minifig head, using the original color codes of yellow and black. Holding this head between its hind legs, and with its front paws resting on top, I created what looked like a red wolf, with pricked ears, large eyes on either side of its massive head, and impressive white teeth.
I made sure that this wolf’s gaze could be captured from the front and the sides, and that its attitude could be interpreted freely, as both a protective animal and a dominating one, as is often the case on Native American totems.
Above the red wolf, I created a blue and white hare, sitting on its hind legs, with a playful look.
And finally, between the rabbit’s ears, I chose a stork, wings outstretched, in white, black, and red.
The choice of colors was completely deliberate, as it echoed the colors of the French flag, with the yellow of the head reminiscent of the yellow of the very first minifigures created by Lego.
The choice of animals represented a very Alsatian version of the totem, because in local folklore, the stork symbolizes Alsace, while the rabbit is associated with “Inland France”, i.e. the rest of metropolitan France.
The whole display was supported by a large cubic base with written using blue bricks on white “Fana’briques 2005-15” around it to celebrate the 10th birthday of the association.
Each main section can be separated from one another, to allow an easy transportation and installation.
Stacking all these sections gives a totem measuring 1.50 meters in total!
The designs were sorted into three categories by age group: 5 to 7 years, 8 to 12 years, and 13 to 18 years.
All the creations were pre-selected by an Association committee, which received a file containing photos and an explanation by email from the ones that would apply.
During the exhibition, there were two types of voting: a jury vote conducted by the Association committee, and a public vote.
Visitors were therefore invited to vote for one creation in each category. Given that there were over 6,000 visitors, this second vote could be decisive.
Near the stand, I quickly realized that the first visitors never voted for my totem… I was wondering if something was wrong, so after questioning a few people, I realized that my creation was so large, so tall that the visitors thought it was part of the stage set… They were never seeing it as a contesting model!
When I told them that I had made this model, they were all pleasantly surprised, and found the concept bold and humorous… I was now reassured about the choice of this project.
And even with those missing votes, I still obtained the first place of my category!
I love this creation so much that I never completly dismantled it, and is now proudly displayed inside my home!