Gerardo Pontierr
About you
What is your name?
Gerardo Ponce Gutierrez, although I go by Gerardo Pontierr professionally
Which country are you from?
Mexico
How old are you?
35 years old
About your LEGO passion
How did you get into building with LEGO bricks, especially building your own creations?
I started in my childhood (when I was 2 or 3 years old) and combining different parts from different sets feels like an endless world of possibilities to me, since then to now.
10 years ago, I rediscovered building with LEGO bricks by creating some MOCs (My Own Creations) of whatever I wanted - cars, robots, machines, etc. Then I started to get more LEGO parts and sets to increase that little wonderful world.
As a professional musician, I always try to keep close to the arts to be inspired by different disciplines, techniques and styles. 2020 gave us extra time at home, and it was a perfect opportunity to spread the bricks on the floor and play again like a child.
I started creating some 3D mosaics for fun and was excited about how they could become bigger, more complex and interesting. A couple of years later it kind of became my full time job, exhibiting at a few art fairs and galleries, and now in the amazing Masterpiece Gallery at LEGO House!
What kind of creations do you love building the most, and why?
3D mosaics became a fascinating way for me to tell stories through bricks and Minifigures. It is a new way to “play” with an art piece. It changes in front of you depending on the angle you are looking from. Additionally, adding mechanisms, gates and easter eggs invites you to touch, look and play with the piece in ways that “traditional” artworks do not. For me, it is a new world of possibilities and storytelling with this beautiful language (LEGO bricks) without words.
If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring LEGO builders, what would it be?
Build as many LEGO sets as you can! Look at the nice techniques and the use of some pieces to then try to build your own, start with simple ideas and challenge yourself to use a tricky LEGO element or a crazy idea – but, most importantly, have fun!
How does it feel to have your work exhibited here at LEGO House - Home of the Brick?
It is beyond a dream. LEGO bricks have had a profound meaning in my life ever since I was a child. It gives me the feeling and desire to create and play without limits; the feeling that anything is possible, and the excitement to keep exploring and building.
Exhibiting at the Home of the Brick in this moment of my life is so much more than I could ever imagine.
What’s next for you in your LEGO journey—any upcoming projects or dreams?
Art exhibitions became a very exciting part of my life. People from many parts of the world follow and support my work. I’m really thrilled about it.
I look forward to continuing to explore what’s possible, to create shapes and show the beauty of this language in the art world on as many levels as possible.
Do you have a personal LEGO portfolio website or social media profile that you can share?
Yes! You can find me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pontierr_artbrick/.
About your LEGO creation(s) on display
Title
La Catrina
Can you describe your model and what it represents?
La Catrina is a small tribute to Mexico. In this piece, I wanted to portray the colours and joy of some Mexican traditions, such as mariachi, wrestling, and even tacos. It also reflects a few of the icons of Mexico's pre-Columbian cultures - the Mexicas. Some examples include the pyramids, the Mayan ball game, iconography, Aztec warriors, and more.
How long did it take you to build?
It took about 2 months of planning and sourcing of LEGO elements, as well as 1 month of building.
Approximately how many LEGO elements did you use?
It uses around 17,000 pieces.
Are there any hidden details, Easter eggs, or techniques used that fans should look out for?
There are several throughout the piece. The sun stone, the Mariachi playing, the wrestlers. Some that I'd like to highlight are the corners of the frame. These represent Quetzalcoatl, a mythological Aztec god whose name means "feathered serpent". The skulls with slightly elongated heads in the centers of the frame represent the Mayans. The high Mayan leaders performed this practice as a kind of offering.
Title
Kairos Centauro
Can you describe your model and what it represents?
Kairos Centauro is an art piece that symbolizes my gratitude for my life as a violinist, since, in some ways, I could not have been a visual artist if I had not been a violinist. Kairos in Greek is the art of measuring life through moments instead of a chronological line. It represents opportunity.
Music has been my medium and my path for 20 years now and Centauro is the name of my first violin, which was a gift from my father. Without it I would not have been able to continue my career as a musician. The angel form, which in many forms of belief represents a connection between the human and the divine, represents my deep gratitude for how things have turned out in my life.
How long did it take you to build?
It took about 2 months of planning and sourcing of LEGO elements, as well as 1 month of building.
Approximately how many LEGO elements did you use?
It uses around 17,000 pieces.
Are there any hidden details, Easter eggs, or techniques used that fans should look out for?
The aesthetic of this piece attempts to reflect the style of Greek sculptures, a style I've always found fascinating. It has several Easter eggs that allude to music, Greek art, and my life as a violinist. The characters in this piece represent the people who helped me to grow in my career and in my life. They include my violin teacher, my wife and many more. The corners of the frame recreate the shape of the scroll/volute, the head or upper part of the violin, and the golden doors represent the world of opportunities that opened up to me as a musician.