freakwave Posted December 31, 2012 Posted December 31, 2012 Just as the year closes I like to post my largest MOC so far! It is a diorama of the surroundings of the biblical events of Jesus' birth. It is around 250 x 160 cm. You can still few it live for a few days in Munich at the Riem Arcaden till January the 6th. XMas_01_Overall_9330 by 1wave, on Flickr It started from small core of 2 x 2 large baseplates I initially built for the Briking Bavaria exhibition in 2010, inspired by the Prince of Persia theme, it grew a further two plates by the KidsFest in 2012. Then, I was asked to re-build it and first of all expand it to a larger Nativity Scene, so I agreed to put the Holy Family at the center, started thinking, removed the Mosque dur to the setting in time and started by the end of September. First of all on paper: XMas_00_Plan by 1wave, on Flickr to judge what I need to build and can fit into the available space. A lot of drafts both in paper and bricks followed and the logistics started with Bricklink! A bit later also with the bricks and plates put into place to get a feeling for the size: XMas_13_Entwurf_9037 by 1wave, on Flickr An additional challenge was to make it easy to transport, power and the ever shortening lead time. I needed a plan! Putting this also into Excel, added completion steps and adding targets for each remaining week, here's a sample of how that looked with approximately a month remaining till setting up! XMas_00_Status by 1wave, on Flickr The power-supply of the camp-fire and the spot-light in from tof the family is taken over by a 9V train regulator. It is hiddenin the modula mountain. The flickering LEDs were taken from teelights and they are wired directly (shame on me) without and resistors to the regulator which is set to abpout 4 volts. The low voltage contributes to a big loass over the thin wires and initially poses an issue make all LEDs flicker. Better connections solved the issue right before the exhibition! Thank god! Camp-fires flickered, the spots stayed steady! XMas_04_Engel_9341 by 1wave, on Flickr Cabling was done along the sides of the baseplates. For the support of the landscape I kept one stud free, allowing the cable to be hidden between the plates, so there is a space about 16mm wide and 5 mm high for the cables! The LEDs for the spots are hidden pretty well, they are a bit of a pain when taking pictures, but when viewing ti is perfect. The shopping center is pretty bright and in retrospective they might not have been necessary. Especially when considering that the S.Oliver store has a pretty good lighting :-) Some more to the constructions! The landscape consists of a mountain around 30 bricks high when a small river has its source. The river has a foundation of 1x1 round plates but when exhibited the river is also filled up with loose 1 x 1 round plates like the lake, it give a bit more realistic surface. XMas_12_River_9272 by 1wave, on Flickr XMas_08_Lakel_9447 by 1wave, on Flickr In the upper picture you can also see a new technique I tried for the small palm-tree, I think it makes them look pretty good. Unfortunately I do not have a detailed picture currently of the Ghaf-trees, I will supply when I dismantle the diorama! A further overview shows the trees and also the watersupply of the fields between the palm trees. XMas_07_Overall_9351 by 1wave, on Flickr Now to the core! I wanted to build it as detailed as possible, therefore I wanted to have a ceiling that shows the bricks it consists of: XMas_09_Stall_9258 by 1wave, on Flickr Also the plain white of the upper part would be too bright, so I was on the search for a lot of "yellowed" bricks. It became a quite nice "patina" giving it a distinctive look, I am interesting in you opinion. XMas_03_Krippe_9338 by 1wave, on Flickr As you know the birth has not gone unnoticed, the angels told the shepherds and also the big bright star has risen that led the way for the three wise men. XMas_02_Krippe_9334 by 1wave, on Flickr It is really interesting which parts you can find on Bricklink! XMas_11_StarofBeth_9450 by 1wave, on Flickr Finally the late-comers! I had to built and install then a few weeks later as I was not ready with them in time and I was out of town! AS the exhibition is in Bavaria, the three Kings are bringing some Bavarian inspired gifts! XMas_05_3Koenige_9441 by 1wave, on Flickr Unfortunately a few pics of scenes are missing, like the people-counting by the romans and some market-scenes, I try to post them once the exhibition is over butI hope I have given you some insight and risen your interest in this big MOC! fW Quote
Gunman Posted December 31, 2012 Posted December 31, 2012 oww man lovely and huge...!! i love the mountain with the river Quote
Brickington Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 Words cannot describe how awesome this is! Amazing! Quote
soccerkid6 Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 Most impressive LEGO nativity I've seen! The mountain is stunning and all the buildings fit together nicely Quote
def Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 I was expecting something small and intimate when I opened this link, and was pretty blown away. I love the architectural details you've used, and particularly like your use of off-color bricks to get a natural feel. Great job! Quote
Wedge09 Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 *oh2* Absolutely impressive work, absolutely detailed and perfect color scheme :thumbup: I really like the river with the rocks banks Quote
jimmynick Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 The stable looks fantastic, and I love the use of yellowed white bricks that many people see as useless. The whole diorama has a great Middle-Eastern feel going, and it's also of a rather impressive size. Great job, freakwave! Quote
Legonardo Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 holygamoly that is phenomenal, one of my favorite MOCs strait up! you do lego proud ~Legonardo Quote
Maxim I Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 Wow, just like someone else here, I was completely surprised when seeing the first picture Even I can't see all the details in the pictures, the ones I do see are perfectly done! I myself am absolutely no fan of the yellowed white bricks, but you used them wonderful into your MOC! Quote
Mr Copperhead Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 This is really beautiful. I'd love to see more pictures if you have some. Quote
freakwave Posted January 3, 2013 Author Posted January 3, 2013 Thanks for your replies! It will be removed tomorrow from the shopping center, I try to get some more shots of some details, trees and such! fW Quote
Bubble Posted February 14, 2013 Posted February 14, 2013 I like the humor you put in with the diving suit guy (the diving suit wasn't invented until 1679) Quote
TheAshTree Posted February 15, 2013 Posted February 15, 2013 WOW. IMPRESSIVE. Very detailed and good job in the whole building process. Quote
Palathadric Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 I was expecting something small and intimate when I opened this link, and was pretty blown away. I love the architectural details you've used, and particularly like your use of off-color bricks to get a natural feel. Great job! My thoughts exactly. Quote
The Joker1 Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 Wow, This truly is outstanding! With fantastic parts usage all round. Quote
Captain Settle Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 Wow this is great! It's huge and I love how you did the star. Quote
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