The LEGO Group has teamed up with artist Hebru Brantley to create Fly Away Isles, a new immersive play installation in the heart of West Harlem that is inspired by the imagination of some of the community’s most creative minds: children. 

Fly Away Isles is inspired by the imaginations of local children from non-profit youth development organization, The Brotherhood Sister Sol (BroSis). Together with Hebru, the LEGO Group invited the children to use LEGO bricks, to build and share their ideas for how they would help their community play more.  

From a rocket soaring through clouds, to pyramids inspired by volcanos and stepping-stones that transport visitors between colorful islands, Hebru captured the optimism and ideas of the children and turned their dreams into a reality. The new accessible, inclusive and creative space takes visitors on a cosmic journey as they come together to experience the joy of seeing the world through the eyes of children. 

Children playing at the installation.

“Play is fundamental to the wellbeing and happiness of the whole family – it changes lives and brings us closer together, but we know families today feel they don’t play enough,” says Alero Akuya, vice president, global brand, The LEGO Group. “Children can make the most mundane moments playful and are full of amazing ideas for how to rebuild the world around us for the better. So, it felt only fitting for the brand’s 90th Anniversary that we put kids in the driver seat to help us inspire and bring more play into the world. We hope the awesome new playscape Hebru and the children have created here in Harlem inspires those of all ages to experience the creativity, imagination and joy of play.” 

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The installation will be open to the public until Nov. 5, with the mural displayed until July 2023. 

“My work often explores stories about the world I grew up in, so meeting the children from BroSis and hearing their vision for the world we live in now had a profound impact on the design of this play space,” says Brantley. “I wanted to create something that offered the local community a chance to come together regardless of their background or culture, leave the pressures of the busy world we live in behind and explore what the work looks like through the optimistic eyes of children.” 

Fly Away Isles is located in The Johnny Hartman Plaza outside The Brotherhood Sister Sol, 140 Hamilton Place, between W. 143rd and W. 144th Streets, New York, NY.