|
 
Scorp made a building? And it's not sci-fi or fantasy? Kyrie Eliason!
I've always liked Gothic Cathedrals, and after seeing some absolutely
awesome LEGO ones on the Internet, I decided to finally make one of my
own. It does not nearly do the architectural style justice, but I like it
anyway.
Here is what I went by to make the cathedral: my school textbook. I couldn't believe I had
actually found a use for a school book! Woah!
While this model certainly would have been more impressive on a much
larger scale, I wanted it to be a suitable size to fit in the medieval
town that I'm working on. So I tried to keep it relatively small and
simple. The stained-glass window was an obstacle to me. At first I thought
about using some kind of translucent decals on a clear LEGO window, but
finally I came up with this simple solution.
The somewhat simplistic spires of this structure soar to a staggering
height of slightly higher than a foot. Try saying that ten times fast.
I'm afraid when I took a few of these pictures that it was dark and I was
tired. Oh well. Hopefully you will get better pictures in the medieval
comic that I plan to make. Anyway, here is the rear of the cathedral, made
in a Hagrid's Hut style. It actually took me quite some time to get these
to do right.
As clearly visible here and clearly indicated in the aforementioned art
history textbook, all Gothic cathedrals (as well as many churches in
general) feature an overall cross-shaped design. Kind of like all Xarkon
fighters are shaped like the Crown of Xarkon. Only not like that at all.
Here is the motley congregation, not all of whom seem to be dressed in
their best attire. The benches are as simple and uncomfortable as can be:
just like in a real church.
These pictures aren't exactly in the right order. But anyway, the roof was
made to be easily removable. Here it is with the two main panels removed.
You can lie to yourself and your minions... You can claim that you haven't
a qualm... But you never can run from, nor hide what you've done from, the
EYES! The very eyes of Notre Dame!
I kept humming that tune to myself while I built this. It kept running
through my head.
Although it should have some imbedded statues of Christian religious
figures, the only sculptures featured on this cathedral are two gargoyles,
one on either side. These gargoyles stand out because they are the only
parts of the model (except for a few hinges hidden under the roof) that
are made of BLEY! Aaaaahhh!!! Bley is quite effective at frightening away
those evil spirits.
The holy light of salvation pours into the room as yet another wayward
wanderer is brought to the path of the Lord Jesus Christ and accepts Him
as his savior...
or something like that.
I probably should have made a Catholic priest in elaborate robes and
everything, but I got lazy (and I was trying to avoid using decals for
this model). So here is Brother Peter, a visiting monk. Even though he's a
monk, he is known for his stirring sermons featuring terrifying
descriptions of Hell. One such description is: "Imagine being forced to
sit, for all the rest of eternity, in the chairs on which you are
now seated." The congregation is instantly cowed.
Another view with the roof all opened up. I probably could have made a
second floor for the building if I wasn't so lazy. I do plan to add bells
hanging from the central support beam though.
Although the back of the two spires on the front is somewhat hollow and
the rear under the curved half-dome is somewhat garbled, I still think it
looks great from behind. You've got to remember this was pretty much the
first time I'd ever tried to make a realistic building. I'm used to
building spaceships and mechs.
Note the flying buttresses. Once a pilgrim came to this cathedral and
asked the priest a strange question: "If I transgress, will I grind
between the gears?" The priest frankly had no idea what he was talking
about.
The side. I have never seen a Gothic church in real life, but someday I
want to. I know they'll be much more impressive than this blocky little
LEGO. For a really impressive Gothic cathedral (albeit never completed)
see Johannes "Jojo" Koehler on MOCpages.com. For a unique twist on the
idea, see the Cathedral of the Gear by Keith Goldman. But after seeing
these two masterpieces, come back and have pity on my sad little model.
Please?
Entering the cathedral, from a minifig's perspective. I would make a funny
comment about the Islamic-looking fellow off to one side, his
suspicious-looking chest, and the fact that LEGO is a product of
Denmark... but some people might get offended. So anyway, that's all for
now, folks.
|