The humble launderette gets reimagined in Lego

Recently there was a free art installation held in Bethnal Green, east London as part of Lego’s Rebuild the World campaign, titled the Launderette of Dreams by artist Yinka Ilori and inspired by the creative optimism of children.

The installation draws on the British-Nigerian artist’s childhood memories of visiting the local launderette on Essex Road, north London, with his family, with help from a group of current students from his former school, St Jude and St Paul’s C of E Primary School.

On a visit to a local launderette, Ilori asked the young students how they would rebuild the space for the better and bring people in the community together. The installation featured a number of interactive experiences, including a giant mural wall that can be built, unbuilt and rebuilt by visitors, kaleidoscope laundry drums and vending machines that dispensed Lego toys instead of soap.

“The Launderette of Dreams is a very personal project for me because I spent a lot of time during my childhood at the launderette. It was where I could dream about the things I wanted to achieve,” says artist, Ilori. “We often forget about the mundane spaces which play an important role in bringing the community and people from different cultures and backgrounds together, as well as providing an opportunity for kids to meet, play and share ideas.”