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(Originally Posted May 21, 2012 from the DailyMail website.)
LEGO tycoon Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen gives more than a third of the voting shares
to his three children
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
LEGO tycoon Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen has given more than a third of the voting
shares in his $6bn holding company to his three children, beginning the process
of handing over the toy empire to the next generation, writes Richard Orange
from Denmark.
The latest filings for Kirkbi, the holding company that controls LEGO and the
LEGOLAND theme parks, show that Kirk Kristiansen, has diluted his own vote to
just under 65 per cent, leaving Sofia (35), Thomas (33) and Agneta (29), with
11.61 per cent, 11.71 per cent, and 11.69 per cent respectively.
Kristiansen is Denmark’s richest man. Born in 1947, just before the company was
founded, he was the grandchild on whom LEGO founder Ole Kirk Christiansen tested
his original prototypes before arriving at the modern brick design in 1958. He
succeeded his father Godtfred as president and chief executive in 1979.
A spokesman for Kirkbi said: ‘We’ve made this change to prepare for an effective
change of generations in the future. We want to prevent any unpleasant family
disputes that might occur.’
The three children’s 49 per cent stake in Kirkbi was previously comprised solely
of non-voting shares, leaving their father Kjeld in total control. Their
increased say is expected to be formalised with executive positions.
Dailymail.co.uk
-end of report-
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LEGOClubTV YouTube channel:
The LEGO Group celebrates its 80th Birthday on August 10, 2012, take a look back
at its history with this short animated film.
Video: 17:09
LEGOClubTV channel Video: The LEGO® Story YouTube.com
Enjoy!
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From Surveymonkey and LEGO.
Dear LEGO fan,
The LEGO fan community is important to us. To improve and support the LEGO fan
community we have partnered with Aarhus University, Denmark, and DePaul
University, Chicago, to carry out this survey. The survey is part of a large
ongoing research project aimed at better understanding user activities and
interactions in communities.
We would greatly appreciate if you would complete the questionnaire. It will
take you approx. 20-30 minutes. Please note that you must be at least 13 years
old to take this survey.
The survey ends by May, 17, 2012 (midnight GMT). All responses are strictly
confidential. We will share the top line findings (in English) with you once we
have analyzed the data.
Thank you very much for your help!
Kind regards,
Jan Beyer, Community Operations Manager EU/Asia
James Foulds, Community Operations Senior Manager, Americas/Australia
Tormod Askildsen, Head of the LEGO Community Events & Engagement team
Link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LEGO_Fan_Survey_English
If you have questions regarding the research, please contact Yun Mi Antorini (in
English) on this mail address: Yun.Mi.Antorini@LEGO.com
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In lugnet.people, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/12622904@N03/7021501535/
Reposted to give it wider exposure. If you know anything, that group has
contact info... keep an eye open. Especially if you’re in the US Pacific
Northwest.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/12622904@N03/7039579861/
I’m so sorry to hear this. My condolences go out to all of her family and
friends.
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In lugnet.people, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/12622904@N03/7021501535/
>
> Reposted to give it wider exposure. If you know anything, that group has contact
> info... keep an eye open. Especially if you're in the US Pacific Northwest.
I have posted about this on several non-brick-related forums that I frequent and
which have nationwide readership. I hope that others will consider doing the
same.
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It is with great sadness I have decided to quit LDraw.
LDraw has been my primary hobby for about 15 years and an endless source of joy
and relaxation, combined with intellectual challenges. But in the last few
years, it feels like LDraw has changed while I haven't. Instead of joy and
relaxation, LDraw has caused me anger and frustration. And while my health is
steadily declining, the challenges presented by the changes of the LDraw format
are too great for me to overcome. I haven't even been able to achieve status quo
in my projects; ie had the time to repair all the damage made by the perpetual
changes of the LDraw format standard. So my projects have been going backwards
instead of making progress.
I've come to the point where I am forced to realize that my LDraw projects will
never ever be finished, or even move forward again. Therefor it is pointless to
keep on. Better spend my time on something I have I chance to finalize.
I want to try to remember LDraw for all the countless hours of work made by
hundreds of volontairs from all over the world, the abundance of great LDraw
models from thousands of enthusiastic LDraw users. I will try not to keep the
bitterness of the many times I tried to explain why some changes are such bad
ideas, and the frustration of never been taken seriously. Hope you are also able
to forgive and forget the words I have used in my anger and frustration.
Happy Building and LDrawing,
/Tore
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Warsaw art museum buys Zbigniew Libera’s ‘LEGO’ concentration camp
(Jan. 3, 2012 LA Times update of a old report)
Some controversial artworks never completely lose the taint of the taboo despite
changing times and evolving tastes. When Polish artist Zbigniew Libera created a
faux LEGO concentration camp toy set in 1996, he drew widespread criticism from
people who believed he was making light of the Holocaust. Since then, his
death-camp toys have been shown in museums and galleries around the world,
including New York’s Jewish Museum in the 2002 exhibition “Mirroring Evil.”
This week, the Museum of Modern Art in
Warsaw, Poland, announced on its website that it has acquired Libera’s
concentration camp creations. The museum said it purchased the artwork on Dec.
30 from a Norwegian art collector for 55,000 euros, or approximately $71,800.
The museum described the pieces as “one of the most important works of
contemporary Polish art.”
The work features LEGO renderings of crematoria and barracks as well as scenes
depicting skeletal prisoners being beaten by guards.
A 1997 report
in The Times stated that the creations were so disturbing that the Lego Group
tried to persuade Libera to withdraw them from public view. (The company
eventually backed down from its demands.)
“I understand that Lego must defend its good name, but this is not a product
being offered in a store,” Libera told The Times. The artwork caused additional
controversy when Libera was invited to participate in the 1997 Venice Biennale,
but was asked by Polish officials to not show the Lego pieces. “This is
censorship all over again,” the artist told The Times. “I created this work to
inspire discussion, not to suppress it.”
Born in 1959, Libera is one of the most provocative Polish artists currently
working. His other works include ironic and sometimes darkly humorous
deconstructions of children’s toys and mass-produced consumer goods.
LAtimes.com
Link from the 1997 Article
An Artist’s
Volatile Toy Story
-end of repot-
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In lugnet.starwars, John Neal wrote:
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In lugnet.starwars, Ahui Herrera wrote:
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Is the falcon & the ISD the only midi-scale models that TLC has done to
date? Any ideas if they will release other models in this size?
Thanks!
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Ahui???
You are still around? Wow, even a youngster like you is prolly old by now!
JOHN
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Hi John l-o-n-g time that I have not stopped here.
ROFL yeah I’m old now. My daughter tells me that all the time since he has to
use 2 hands and then some to figure out how old I am.
LIFE and TLC’s decision to no longer use 9V and use “flesh” color minfigs made
me walk away from LEGO. I sold the vast majority of my unopened LEGO sets and
the opened stuff got boxed up and put in storage. Several different hobbies can
take over since then and the LIFE brought me a little girl in 2005, followed by
a little boy in 2007 and then another little girl in 2011. Needless to say it’s
been DUPLO for a while in the house. But last year some of the old sets (trains
+ star wars) came out since my 2 older ones could finally enjoy them.
I still cringe when they play with MY LEGO but I don’t have the heart to play
with it anymore. Especially when I know that my 9v trains are no more and as
much as I have looked at the new stuff I am just not “into” going with the new
system. Anyways back to the topic at hand as it’s depressing thinking about my
old collection.
We where at Target yesterday and my oldest was going ga, ga over the new LEGO
Friends sets. She loves them and wants them all. Kids! That got me looking at
some of the star wars sets and wondering about the LEGO Star Wars PODs that I
built a while back and that lead to the midi-scale sets and well that got me
back here.
So anyone know the answer? Best I can tell it was only those 2 sets and nothing
else.
AHui
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Leave His LEGO Alone
Buffalo Sabres Tough Guy Enjoying The Building Blocks Of Success
By Randy Schultz
Patrick Kaleta leads a double life. (Buffalo Sabres NHL player)
On the ice, the Buffalo Sabres bruising forward is known for his bone-crushing
hits, trash talking prowess and ability to bait opponents into unnecessary
penalties.
Away from the rink is a different story.
In his spare time, Kaleta can be found in his western New York home
participating in a hobby that may not seem fitting of a rough and tumble hockey
player. Kaleta happens to love LEGO. That’s right, LEGO, those colorful plastic
toy bricks that have entertained young kids and budding architects for more than
70 years.
Kaleta’s love of LEGO dates back to this past season when a broken hand kept him
off the ice and looking to kill time during the healing process.
“I was sitting at home, basically fed up watching TV,” recalls the 25 year-old
Kaleta. “I remember reading an article in the newspaper about (soccer star)
David Beckham and how he would put together LEGO sets for relaxation.
“I thought if it was good enough for one of the world’s greatest soccer players,
it should be good enough for me. So I decided to go out and give it a try. The
next thing I knew I had a LEGO room.”
Which may seem strange for a player better known for body checks than building
blocks.
“It was a bit tough in the beginning working with the LEGO, but they seemed to
get easier and easier,” says the Sabres sparkplug. “I used to play with LEGO
when I was a kid. But I guess I looked at it a little differently as an adult.”
Eventually, Kaleta discovered that he had the patience not only to create
difficult projects, but the discipline to keep them together once they were
completed. The biggest challenge, at that point, was finding a place to display
his works of plastic art.
“The only thing that I didn’t really plan on was the collection getting as big
as it has,” he says. “I originally had it in a room in the upstairs part of my
house. But that began filling up and I really began getting nervous.”
Of all his LEGO creations, which one presented Kaleta with his biggest
challenge?
“Probably the Taj Mahal,” Kaleta said of the 5,922-piece replica of the India
landmark that stands 16 inches tall by 20 inches wide when completed.
“I think it took some time, between six to eight hours, because I split it up
over a two-day period.”
Other prized pieces of his collection include a carousel that spins and plays
music, several “Star War” spaceships and an entire village that includes of a
corner store, pet store and a firehouse.
And as long as the Danish company keeps cranking out new kits, Kaleta says he
will keep hitting up local toy and hobby stores in search of new challenges.
“That’s why I go on my weekly Toys ‘R’ Us run and the workers know who I am.
They let me know if there is anything new coming out,” he says.
“It’s a hobby that I’ve picked up, and I don’t plan to stop any time soon.”
While the LEGO remain a welcome reprieve from the pressures of the NHL, it’s
Kaleta’s work with his foundation – HITS, or Helping Individuals To Smile – that
is his true passion.
Kaleta’s charitable work goes back to his days with the Rochester Americans,
where he was named AHL Man of the Year during the 2006-07 season for his
community service.
“When I was younger, I always wanted to do things for the community,” Kaleta
admits. “I knew that I would have to establish myself as a player first before
setting up any type of foundation.”
Fortunately, Kaleta didn’t have to go far to find someone whose philanthropy
would serve as an example for his own charitable efforts. Sabres goaltender Ryan
Miller has earned a reputation in both the Buffalo community and around the NHL
for his willingness to help others. His Steadfast Foundation has been helping
sick children and their families in the community since 2006.
“He explained to me how important it was to become involved with the community,”
says Kaleta, who first cracked the Sabres lineup in 2006-07.
In addition to supporting the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Kaleta serves as a
spokesperson for Cradle Beach Camp, which helps disabled and disadvantaged
children from the western New York area.
“We just want to be able to help kids who are less fortunate,” he says. “We want
them to have a better life and put a smile on their face.”
Kaleta has also set a lofty goal for his HITS Foundation: the construction of a
$6 million ice arena and field house in the Springfield, N.Y., area, close to
where he grew up.
“I know it is quite a big goal to set, but we’re going to keep going with this
challenge until the day comes that we open the doors to this complex,” he vows.
“I want to see all kids get the chance to play hockey and any sport like I did.
“The sooner we can get this open the better.”
Just like his next LEGO project, Kaleta’s goal is to build a better community,
one brick at a time.
USAhockeymagazine.com
-end of report-
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