Pharrell Williams and Lego: A cosmic collaboration
A star-studded event in Paris
Ahead of the much-anticipated release of his animated Lego biopic, Piece by Piece, Pharrell Williams took center stage at a special event hosted by Lego in Paris. The multi-talented artist shared insights into his growing collaboration with the iconic toy company, captivating an audience of local creatives and industry insiders.
The film and the toy set: A dynamic duo
Directed by Morgan Neville, Piece by Piece has already garnered praise for its originality at screenings in Telluride and Toronto. The film, which features an animated Lego version of Williams, delves into his life and creative journey. Alongside the film, Williams has collaborated with Lego to create a new toy set titled Over the Moon. This set, which showcases a black-and-gold rocket ship with a vibrant jet stream of colors, was unveiled at the cosmic-themed event held at Espace Niemeyer.
A night of creativity and inspiration
The event, held at the iconic Oscar Niemeyer-designed former headquarters of the French Communist Party, was a celebration of creativity and innovation. Attendees included actor Kevin Dias, DJ Bob Sinclar, and Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter. The evening was further enlivened by a DJ set from Busy P, founder of Ed Banger Records, who played a selection of French electro tracks.
The inspiration behind ‘Over the Moon’
Over the Moon, set to launch later this month, draws inspiration from scenes in Piece by Piece where the animated Williams ventures into space. On stage in Paris, Williams shared a childhood memory that fueled his fascination with the cosmos. “When I was 4 or 5 years old, I used to stare outside the window of Atlantis Apartments where I lived. I used to stare into the night sky because the stars were so vivid, and I had all these questions that my mother really couldn’t answer – how far does space go, why is this star blue and why is this star twinkling?” he recounted.
A universal story through Lego animation
Williams expressed his excitement about telling his story through Lego animation. “I’m a Black man, from a marginalized community, so to tell my story this way made it more universal, so people could just see it for what it is,” he said. He emphasized that Lego has a unique ability to connect with the inner child in everyone, regardless of age.
A diverse and inclusive toy set
The Over the Moon set is notable for its inclusivity, featuring Lego’s widest range of customizable mini-figure skin tones. With 50 mini-figure heads included, 30 of which were designed specifically for this set, it offers a diverse array of characters for children to play with and relate to.
Extending the partnership to education
Williams’ collaboration with Lego extends beyond the film and toy set. His non-profit foundation, Yellow, which aims to level the playing field for children through education, is partnering with Lego to launch a new Lego Build the Change global challenge. This initiative seeks to bring more creative play opportunities to kids worldwide, fostering imagination and innovation.
A personal reflection on creativity and play
As a cinema, TV series, and music enthusiast, I find Williams’ collaboration with Lego particularly inspiring. It’s a testament to the power of creativity and play in shaping our stories and connecting us across different backgrounds and experiences. The Piece by Piece film and Over the Moon set are not just products; they are vehicles for storytelling and imagination, inviting us all to explore new worlds and perspectives.
For those eager to dive deeper into this cosmic collaboration, you can watch the trailer for Piece by Piece here and explore the details of the Over the Moon set here.
Final thoughts
Pharrell Williams’ partnership with Lego is a shining example of how art, creativity, and play can come together to create something truly magical. Whether through the animated adventures in Piece by Piece or the imaginative play offered by the Over the Moon set, this collaboration invites us all to dream big and reach for the stars.