Transferring the design idea from paper to ice is the first step- and perhaps the most critical. Some teams drew their design on sheets of paper and adhered them to the ice blocks (left photo) creating cutting lines. Other teams "rough cut" their design freehand and then used markers to indicate spacing or placement of additional pieces (see red lines on middle photo or brown lines on right photo). While all had a single page drawing (like the one the guy is holding in the right photo) of the completed project, only a few solely used the drawing.
The first tool used was... a CHAIN SAW! I thought it would completely shatter the ice block but the saw sliced through the ice like a knife through butter with ice chips flying everywhere. It was mesmerizing to watch. Other tools used were chisels, Dremel tool with LOTS of attachments, electric and hand sanders, an electric iron, awls and a surprise tool you'll see later. We thought the team that used the ice to store their tools (top right) was quite creative!
Some sculptures, like the one above, needed temporary supports as they worked on part of it. It was interesting to watch this sculpture take shape with rings linked with other rings.
Every team had smaller ice pieces that needed to be attached to the main part of the sculpture. First the small piece was smoothed and sanded (left photo) to fit exactly on the larger piece. Then an electric iron or heated metal plate (right photo) was placed against the bigger piece to melt it just a tad. Finally, the smaller piece was held in place until the two pieces froze together.
The teams were given 18 blocks of ice, each measuring 10 inches by 20 inches by 40 inches and weighing 300 pounds. The first step was placing the blocks in a rough shape of the design.
It was difficult (impossible?) to tell what the finished sculpture might look like at this point. I decided to "follow" this team from France and Poland from start to finish as I liked their design on paper. They continued piling up ice blocks after I took this photo.
In just nineteen hours, their design was recognizable. At this point, they were still getting the main shape, not working so much on details.
With just six and a half hours to go, the team was putting on the finishing touches, making adjustments in the facial features, sanding and smoothing the arch.
Saturday afternoon was "warm" and at 34 degrees, the sculptures began to melt. It was a tense time for the teams as they battled not only the clock but also the weather. Finally, at noon on Sunday, time was up and all tools had to be put down, finished or not. Some of the teams didn't quite finish and one (the one I showed earlier with the supports) was completely done about an hour early.
The finished ice sculpture, titled "Duel", was created by Samuel Girault (France) and Michal Mizula (Poland). I thought it was a winner!
The judges, however, disagreed with me and awarded this sculpture ("Life in the Balance") the first place prize-a glass statue. Although the fish are intricate, they did each one individually and then attached them rather than creating something from a large mass of ice. "Duel" took second place.
Remember the surprise tool I mentioned earlier? The ice looks translucent or frosted as they work on it and I wondered how they make the ice sculptures crystal clear.
They use a blow torch!
The sculptors worked meticulously on their ice sculptures creating larger-than-life art that will eventually melt. Ice sculpting is their passion and it shows in their work. Although there was only one official winner, they were all worthy projects and it was a privilege to watch them materialize.
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