LEGO artwork by qargo featuring a portrait of Masahiro Hara on the front, and a functional QR code on the back telling the story of the QR code’s inventor.
2023

Masahiro Hara (1x)

Japanese engineer, father of the QR code

 

Unique work | n°1 in the collection

≈90.000 Lego bricks in 9 different colors

 

Base: white | QR code: black & red
Mentions: red | Vintage: black
Visual : black, coral, dark brown, dark bluish grey, dark red, sand blue, light bluish grey, red, white

Height & Width : 93 cm – Depth : 10 cm

Weight : 106.0 lbs

Hidden signature on a QR code Lego

 

RATE not applicable (part not available)

The Architect of the Invisible is an exceptional creation by the artist qargo paying tribute to Masahiro Hara, the Japanese engineer who invented the QR code in 1994 — a technology now deeply embedded in everyday life, yet whose origins remain largely unknown to the public.

Composed of approximately 90 000 LEGO® bricks and measuring 93 × 93 cm with a weight of 48,1 kg, this sculpture is built from 30 meticulously stacked layers. This modular construction is not just an aesthetic choice: it reflects a form of technical engineering designed to ensure the structure’s stability while preserving the visual precision of the piece.

On the front side, a stylized portrait of Masahiro Hara emerges from an inverted QR code, subtly embedded in the background. This non-functional visual motif echoes the abstraction of the original code while highlighting the paradox of Hara’s invention: omnipresent yet invisible, anonymous yet universal. His face literally overlays the code, embodying the human behind the technology.

The color palette – white, red and corail – referencies the engineer’s Japanese heritage, while the coral hue introduces a more contemporary pop dimension, that grounds the work in our visual era. The softened interior corners of the QR code, pay homage to tradtional Japanese aesthetics, characterized by gentle lines and a deep respect for organic forms.

On the reverse side a functional QR code, remains hidden but scannable: it leads to an interactive biography retracing Hara’s journey, from his early life in Japan to the global recognition of his invention. This device forges a direct link between viewer and story, turning the piece into a bridge between intimate memory and digital culture.

First unveiled in Biarritz on October 1st, 2024, in the presence of Masahiro Hara, himself, The Architect of the Invisible will be exhibited in Venice, Tokyo and Seoul in 2025. It is signed and personally dedicated by Hara on the upper edge of the sculpture — a visible mark of shared respect and transmission.

As for the artist, true to his tradition, qargo has hidden his own signature within a single LEGO® brick on the back of the piece, a subtle nod to the easter eggs hidden by video game developers in the 1980s, a formative decade for his creative universe.

Through the use of LEGO® bricks as an expressive medium, qargo transforms a coded tool into an emotional language. This work does more than celebrate an invention: it invites us to rediscover what quietly, profoundly, and invisibly connects us.

1994

EASTER EGG

Key: Year of creation of the QR code

Secret: Born in 1957, Japanese engineer Masahiro Hara was 37 years old when he invented the QR code — back in 1994. Fittingly, the Easter egg was hidden beneath the 1,994th LEGO brick of model 3003 used in the QR code (out of a total of 3,364).

Easter Egg?

Perseverance is the driving force behind innovation. Every obstacle is an opportunity to learn and progress.

Masahiro Hara, the man behind the revolutionary invention of the QR code, embodies a discreet figure with an unparalleled visionary force in the world of technology. Born in Japan, Hara grew up with a fascination for solving complex problems, an insatiable curiosity, and a deep passion for engineering. What sets him apart is not only his inventive mind, but his remarkable humility, a quality deeply rooted in both his personality and his approach to work. Unlike many inventors who seek public recognition, Hara has remained in the background, choosing instead to focus on the impact of his creations rather than the spotlight of fame.

The QR code, designed in 1994 while working at the Japanese company Denso Wave, is the perfect example of this humble creativity. Hara did not set out to revolutionize the world — he was simply responding to a pressing need: improving the efficiency of parts traceability in the automotive industry. What could have remained a minor technical solution became a global symbol of interconnection, bridging the physical and digital worlds. This ability to transform simple ideas into universal innovations lies at the heart of Masahiro Hara’s genius.

Hara’s pragmatic ingenuity is founded on strong values: an unwaring drive to solve everyday problems, a future-oriented vision, and the rare gift of perceiving simplicity within complexity. His work on the QR code is emblematic of this mindset: he simplified a complex concept to make it accessible and functional on a global scale. Yet behind this technical feat lies deep empathy, an intrinsic understanding of human needs. By connecting objects, information, and people through a simple grid of pixels, Hara effectively created a bridge across cultures and eras, uniting an increasingly fragmented world.

His perseverance, — another cornerstone of his character — is equally evident in his work. He spent years perfecting the QR code, continually seeking to improve its reading speed, data capacity, and adaptability. Attention to detail and patience were central to this endeavor — often overlooked qualities that, in Hara’s case, reveal a profound respect for the process of innovation.

Ultimately, what makes Masahiro Hara such a singular figure among inventors is his quiet model of leadership. Never in pursuit of personal recognition, he champions teamwork and the collective good. His creation is a true lesson in humility: while the QR code is now omnipresent in our lives, its creator has remained in the shadows, proving that true impact does not require fame.

As an engineer, Hara has not only transformed the digital industry but has also embodied the idea that technological innovation can — and should — serve humanity in its simplest form. His humility, paired with boundless creative intelligence, makes him an enduring source of inspiration for anyone seeking to change the world without claiming the spotlight. Masahiro Hara reminds us that the greatest revolutions are often born from modesty and attentive listiening, and that success means little without the desire to move society forward, with humility and empathy.

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