Lego Refused to Process a Bulk Order for Political Artist and Activist Ai Weiwei, Internet Decides to Donate to the Cause

Ai Weiwei's order for Legos was turned down because the iconic brand does not want their itty-bitty bricks being used to assemble "political works," so the internet decided to send him theirs instead.

Since then internet users have been donating their Legos to the artist, tweeting bucket loads of the childhood toy.

During a news conference in Berlin he said, "It appears that we will now actually get enough Lego bricks together in order to be able to conduct this project as originally planned."

Mashable reports Weiwei was "pretty gobsmacked" about Legos refusal of the "perfectly respectable order."

Weiwei first spoke of the situation on Friday over Instagram. He posted a photo wit the caption, "In September Lego refused Ai Weiwei Studio's request for a bulk order of Legos to create artwork to be shown at the National Gallery of Victoria as 'they cannot approve the use of Legos for political works.'"

Hmm... that's interesting since Lego has allowed Weiwei to use their signature multicolored bricks in his politically-charged works in the past.

However, Lego has told Mashable, they in-fact stand for freedom of speech.

Roar Trangbaek, press officer the Lego Group said, "While we by principle cannot comment on the dialogue we have with our customers, partners, consumers or other stakeholders, I would like to clarify that we respect any individuals' right to free creative expression."

"We acknowledge, that LEGO bricks today are used globally by millions of fans, adults, children and artists as a creative medium to express their imagination and creativity in many different ways. Projects that are not endorsed or supported by the Lego Group," he added.

Followed by, "We refrain, on a global level, from actively engaging in or endorsing the use of Lego bricks in projects or contexts of a political agenda. This principle is not new."

Trangbaek then added, "In cases where we receive requests for donations or support for projects, such as the possibility of purchasing Lego bricks in large quantities, where we are made aware that there is a political context, we therefore kindly decline support."

So the internet does what it does best, sounding off! Users all over the net Lgeo have it.

@johnathanhaynes "Lego not wanting its bricks to be used to make a political message ... refusing to sell Ai Weiwei your bricks is itself a political message."

@kellpickles "‪@LEGO_Group Denying ‪@aiww an order seems counter to "inspiring the builders of tomorrow". Support all creative expression via Lego!"

@fallpressed "‪@lego ‪#fail Happy to donate plenty of lego to you ‪@aiww Just don't do anything political with it, oh no. Or stand on it."

So said so done - the Legos are pouring in. Looks like the "Andy Warhol/Ai Weiwei" exhibit - which features 20 portraits of Australian pro-freedom fighters" will come to life after all.