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To do History is to Play.png

MOTTO OF THE BCE

Classical Greek translation by Prof. John Bennet

Introduction

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The Brick Classicists Empire or BCE (previously Lego Classicists) is a growing, vibrant community brought together through shared connection to each other and the ancient world.

 

The BCE encourages everyone with a love of the ancient world to celebrate and play! The BCE project combines pop-art and history to engage with the art and culture of the ancient world and the people who study or are inspired by it. It is a community of scholars and ancient history lovers brought together through a shared desire for and love of play, innovation and celebration. 

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  • Scope: The project aims to make ancient history and academia accessible through the, often, universal appeal of LEGO® and pop-art, highlighting diversity and inclusion in the field. As well as engaging with a wider general audience who share a love for ancient history with LEGO through serious play. Read more here

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  • Minifigure Portraits: The minifigure portrait collection features over 140+ custom minifigures portraits of prominent academics like Prof. Dame Mary Beard, Prof. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill and Prof. Michael Scott and they are  all custom designed by Liam D. Jensen. They are never for sale and only two are made: one for the person being honoured and one for the BCE archive. See the full collection here

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  • Artist and Founder: Liam D. Jensen, an historical archivist and 4th generation artist, with a background in filmmaking and an interest in pop-culture., created the project to blend pop-culture with classical studies through the medium of LEGO and Pop-Art. Read more here

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  • Exhibitions & Collaborations: BCE figures have been displayed at institutions like the British Museum, the Acropolis Museum, the Chau Chak Wing Museum, and the Jönköpings läns Museum and a social media collaboration with the J. Paul Getty Museum in 2018.

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  • International Brick Classicism Day: International Brick Classicism Day is an annual, global, social media-driven event held on February 20th to celebrate ancient history, archaeology, and classical studies using LEGO bricks and miniqfugres through serious play. Read more here

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  • Awards: The Brick Classicist of the Year is awarded annually to an existing member of the Brick Classicists Empire for their outstanding work in making the ancient world engaging, exciting and relatable to a general audience. Read more here

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The Brick Classicists Empire (BCE) portraits are designed and constructed on Gadigal Land, on which the city of Sydney now stands. We respect and honour the traditional owners and their Elders past, present and future.

 

Copyright

 

The Brick Classicists Empire (BCE) is a non-profit, artistic and educational project of pop-art portraits of classicists made with LEGO® parts by Liam D. Jensen. LEGO® is the property of the LEGO® Group, Denmark which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site.

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The term “LEGO” is used herein as a description only, for example “International LEGO Classicism Day”, “LEGO Classics Pantheon” and “LEGO Classics” should not to be mistaken for official company names. All photos are the copyright of Liam D. Jensen unless otherwise stated and may not be used without the artist’s written permission and full accreditation.

 

The Brick Classicists Empire (BCE) motto “To Do History is to Play” and its classical Greek translation "á¼±στορεá¿–ν παίζειν” is the copyright of Liam D. Jensen and Prof. John Bennet. All rights reserved.

 

The Brick Classicists Empire (BCE) website is copyright of Liam. D. Jensen, 2021-2026.

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