Giant Lego Man finally released from police custody

Back in October, this 8-foot-tall lego man washed ashore on Siesta Key Beach, Florida. Beach goers and the police department were perplexed at how or why this 100-pound lego man ended there, with nothing to identify it save the mysterious message written on it's green shirt "NO REAL THAN YOU ARE" and on it's back was the name "Ego Leonard" and the number 8. Later that day, the lego man was confiscated by the local authorities and placed in a shed, as standard protocol required that any lost and found "item" remain with the authorities for a span of 90 days, during which time it can be claimed by the original owners.

Released

Like the 2 similar incidents that happened back in 2007(Netherlands) and 2008(UK), no one came forward to reclaim this giant lego man either, and it was finally released back to the first person who found the shored lego man in that fated day, Jeff Hinderman, who has already expressed his wishes in selling the sculpture in ebay.

The Artist

Ego Leonard is supposedly the name of a Netherlands artist, but it was never confirmed if that was a real name or if a real artist was behind the work. The header on Leonard's website, written mostly in Dutch, is "No real than you are" and the home page has a photo of a Lego man. During the course of this third incident, some journalists sent a email to Leonard asking him if the giant lego man was his creation, email of which had the following response in the first person:

"I am glad I crossed over. Although it was a hell of a swimm," the email said. "Nice weather here and friendly people. I think I am gonna stay here for a while. A local sheriff escorted me to my new home."

A visit to the artist's website, reads:

“My name is Ego Leonard and according to you I come from the virtual world. A world that for me represents happiness, solidarity, all green and blossoming, with no rules or limitations. Lately however, my world has been flooded with fortune-hunters and people drunk with power. And many new encounters in the virtual world have triggered my curiosity about your way of life. I am here to discover and learn about your world and thoughts …”

Viewers are invited to leave a personal message and even photos of their own experiences and preferences as a gesture of befriending Ego Leonard....alternatively Perscription Art shows a gallery of paintings for sale that all feature the Lego figure with a variety of messages such as “I Love You,” “Play by the Rules” and, coincidentally, “No Real Than You Are.” Converting the currency from the prices listed in British pounds, the paintings range in price from $3,407.19 to $4,238.90. There’s also an Ego Leonard book “No Real Than You Are” that can be bought for just $11.18.


What Lego has to say

Initial expectations were that the giant lego man might've been a publicity stunt As with the inquiries done to Mr. Leonard, the Lego company was also contacted regarding this puzzling incident, the response given to the press has Lego executives stating that they want no part of the lego man. A spokeswoman for Legoland said the Lego man is a counterfeit and is not endorsed by Legoland or its parent company, Merlin Entertainments Group.

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