Lego - Discover the new Chateau Disney and a participative fresco in Paris

By Mulder, 21 june 2023

To mark the launch of the new Disney Lego Castle and celebrate 100 years of Disney, three international artists have created four monumental works, the first of which was unveiled today in London: Kaleidowaves, a 4.5 m-high mural imagined by London artist Lakwena Maciver and inspired by the new Disney Castle product. Lakwena's children, four-year-old Aroko and six-year-old Makelo, placed the last of the fresco's 220,000 LEGO bricks. Like them, families in Paris will be able to take part in the construction of a giant fresco, imagined by French-American artist Amy Jones, near the LEGO Store in Paris Les Halles. Château Disney celebrates the fun and creativity that the Lego Group and Disney have brought to families around the world over the last twenty-four years. From the first Lego Winnie-the-Pooh set (1999), to the time capsule hidden in the new Disney Lego Castle, the two brands invite fans to share in the magic of Disney stories, by reimagining their favorite scenes through Lego play.
 

The work unveiled in London today is part of a series of four frescoes created by three artists who grew up with Disney: Lakwena Maciver (London), Amy Jones (Paris), and Kristin Texeira (USA). The murals depict some of their favorite Disney characters from the last 100 years, such as Mickey, Cinderella, Woody, Ariel, Tiana, Mirabel, Buzz L'éclair and Daisy Duck, who also appear in Lego Disney products, in a setting unique to each artist's style.  
 
The three remaining murals can be built with the whole family at free events from July 7 to 9 near the Lego Store in Paris Les Halles; from July 14 to 16 at the Manchester Arndale; and from July 27 to 29 at Pier 17, The Seaport, in New York. It's also possible to create your own Lego castle stained-glass window online at www.lego.com/castle, or visit a LEGO Store to take part in Lego Disney building activities (visit www.lego.com/store for more information). Once completed, the four murals will be exhibited at the LEGO House in Billund from August 23, 2023.

As for her sources of inspiration for her work, Lakwena cites the Disney characters that sparked her creativity as a child, and those that stimulate her sons' imaginations today: "When I was a child in Ethiopia in the 90s, there weren't many films available, so we watched Disney tapes over and over again. Later, when I was living in the UK, I remember visiting my uncle in Ashdown Forest, which inspired Winnie the Pooh, and we'd play 'Stick Game' on Pooh Bridge. Today, with my family, films like The Lion King allow me to talk to my children about the land of our ancestors. The magic and fantasy that Disney is so good at conveying had a huge impact on my imagination as a child, and has therefore influenced my work and artistic projects as an adult."
 

French artist Amy Jones, also explained her approach to designing her LEGO mural, entitled Through The Magical Glass: "I grew up near Orlando, next to the Disney parks, and I'll always have a strong attachment to the Disney universe and its characters. My LEGO mural depicts Ariel and Belle, two of my favorite Disney characters. Having moved around a lot as a child, and now living in another country, Ariel's thirst for discovery has always inspired me. Belle's life in a small French village and the song "C'est la fête" stimulated my love of French culture from an early age, and played a part in my move to Paris, where I've been living for over eleven years now. With this work, I wanted to remind people of the stories behind these Disney characters, with my own style, full of color and exuberant shapes, brick by brick."

Regarding her sources of inspiration for her work, Lakwena cites the Disney characters that sparked her creativity as a child, and those that stimulate her sons' imaginations today: "When I was a child in Ethiopia in the 90s, there weren't many films available, so we watched Disney tapes over and over again. Later, when I was living in the UK, I remember visiting my uncle in Ashdown Forest, which inspired Winnie the Pooh, and we used to play 'Stick Game' on Pooh Bridge. Today, with my family, films like The Lion King allow me to talk to my children about the land of our ancestors. The magic and fantasy that Disney is so good at conveying had a huge impact on my imagination as a child, and has therefore influenced my work and artistic projects as an adult."
 
French artist Amy Jones, also explained her approach to designing her Lego mural, entitled Through The Magical Glass: "I grew up near Orlando, next to the Disney parks, and I'll always have a strong attachment to the Disney universe and its characters. My Lego mural depicts Ariel and Belle, two of my favorite Disney characters. Having moved around a lot as a child, and now living in another country, Ariel's thirst for discovery has always inspired me. Belle's life in a small French village and the song "C'est la fête" stimulated my love of French culture from an early age, and played a part in my move to Paris, where I've been living for over eleven years now. With this work, I wanted to remind people of the stories behind these Disney characters, with my own style, full of color and exuberant shapes, brick by brick."

The new Disney Lego Castle pays homage to the iconic castle seen at the beginning of all Disney films. The 4,837 bricks not only allow the castle to be built, but also include references to 14 classic Disney films from the last 100 years, such as Steamboat Willie, Snow White (the first Disney princess), The Princess and the Frog and Vaiana. The construction is accompanied by eight mini-figurines representing some of the Disney Princesses and their male counterparts. The castle's interior features several rooms, including a kitchen, dining room, ballroom and bedroom. Each room features references to Disney films and characters. Fans will even find a secret turret where they can discover a Disney time capsule with references to the brand's 100-year history. Outside, the castle is decorated with fireworks.
 
Head of Creative Design for Lego Disney, Benedikte Stamp said, "Over the last century, Disney has created some of the world's greatest stories, which are loved generation after generation. Like these stories, Lego games transcend age, language and culture to inspire millions of children to build and create anything they can imagine. As a designer, my role is to bring the magic of both brands together and give all fans the opportunity to celebrate their love for Disney stories through construction."  
 

The new Lego The Disney Castle set will be available from July 1, 2023 for LEGO VIP program members worldwide in LEGO stores and on LEGO.com/Castle.  All other fans will be able to order it from July 8, 2023 at the recommended retail price of €399.99. Disney and LEGO game fans who would like to purchase the new Disney LEGO Castle can meet the designers of this masterpiece on Sunday, July 2 at the LEGO Store at Disneyland Paris in Disney Village. They'll be signing products from 5pm to 7pm. 

Check out the photos on our official Flickr page

Product information:
LEGO® Disney Castle (43222)    
Age : 18 years and over  
Price : €399.99
Number of bricks : 4 837
Dimensions : 33cm x59cm x 80cm 
- Key functions and features include: 8 iconic Disney minifigures, representing the main Disney princesses and their male counterparts, and the back of the castle is packed with hidden details and references, with scenes from various Disney classics and new fireworks.

(Source: press release)