The latest installment of the “Off Book” series from PBS is now live. This episode explores how artists have taken the ubiquitous children’s toy, Lego, and used it as a medium to create captivating works of art and design.

When most people think of Lego, they think of colored blocks and children building toys to their hearts’ desires. However, what started as a creative plaything for kids has gripped the world in a way that almost no other toy has, and this widespread appeal has helped the simple building block extend into the world of art. In the hands of artists, Lego has the potential to bridge the gap between whimsy and the ethereal. Portraitists, filmmakers, and sculptors have the ability to work magic with Lego and create pieces that can be touching, humorous, or oddly haunting.