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LEGO Ideas Building Contest with Ekow Nimako

LEGO Ideas is running a very interesting new contest for teen and adult LEGO fans. In this contest, the LEGO Ideas team is asking fans to build their vision from the future through the lens of Afrofuturism.

Afrofuturism is a cultural movement, aesthetic, and genre that envision black people at the center of their own stories. Advanced technology and reimagined aspects of history are a major part of the philosophy. The contest is inspired by the work of Ekow Nimako, a Ghanaian-Canadian internationally exhibiting LEGO artist whose work explores enchanting Black futuristic narratives. Hear from Ekow in the video below, to learn all about this contest.

Through Afrofuturism we can redefine how we see and think about Black culture, as we pave new and innovative ways to building a better world for us all. What does Afrofuturism look like to you? Is it art? Is it sustainable architecture? Is it the image of a cultural icon, redesigned with greebling galore?

Need more inspiration? Check out Ekow’s website or Instagram account to see great examples of Afrofuturistic Artwork. And remember, even if Ekow’s builds are all black, you’re welcome to use the full-color palette when you enter this contest.

For the prize packages in this contest, the LEGO Ideas team asked Ekow to recommend some of his favorite LEGO sets. It turns out that he’s a big fan of interstellar vessels, so that made it easy to select some of the prizes for this contest. With that in mind, the grand prize winner will receive the following: Adventures of the AIA (a custom build by Ekow), #75252 LEGO Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer, #21321 LEGO Ideas International Space Station, #76186 LEGO Marvel Superheroes Black Panther Dragon Flyer, #10283 LEGO Creator Expert NASA Space Shuttle Discovery. Two runner-up winners will each receive the following: #21321 LEGO Ideas International Space Station, #76186 LEGO Marvel Superheroes Black Panther Dragon Flyer, #10283 LEGO Creator Expert NASA Space Shuttle Discovery.

The contest consists of four phases: Submission Phase – Build and submit your entry before March 8th, 2022 at 6:00 a.m. EST. Judging Phase – LEGO Ideas judges review the entries and choose their favorites, to be part of the Fan Vote selection by March 22nd, 2022. Fan Vote – The judges’ selections will go to a fan vote on March 22nd, 2022, and run until March 29th, 2022. Winners Announcement – The grand prize winners and two runner-up winners are shared on LEGO Ideas no later than April 5th, 2022.

To learn about the rules and guidelines for the contest, and if you would like to enter, visit the contest entry page at the LEGO Ideas website: AFROFUTURISTIC BUILDING CONTEST WITH EKOW NIMAKO

What do you think? How do you like this LEGO Ideas contest? Are you planning to enter? What would you build? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below!

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{ 5 comments… add one }
  • T.T.T. February 5, 2022, 7:11 PM

    This is the first time I have heard of this art style. Very interesting.

  • Daniel February 6, 2022, 4:34 PM

    This is… different…. I like this guy’s artwork. Never heard of him or this style before.

    • TrexQ February 7, 2022, 9:02 AM

      Very cool contest!

  • AdamZ February 6, 2022, 8:29 PM

    Woa. This is cool. I might have some ideas..

  • Håkan February 7, 2022, 6:32 PM

    Hmm, to me, the concept has always seemed a bit vague. Anyway, I’m a fan of sci-fi in general, so it might be interesting checking out the entries anyhow, although I probably lack the personal focus to actually produce one, myself…

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