The detail in the “Ancient Fish” or coelacanths, earned it top billing on my post today.
Aaron Costic had a dream. He wanted to become a chef. His skills at ice carving were so impressive, however, his instructor encouraged him to participate in ice sculpture competitions. His skills brought him to the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks and then on to winning a gold medal in the Winter Olympics at Torino, Italy in 2006. This year he and his team-mate carved “Concentration” in Fairbanks, the sculpture I featured in my first blog on the competition.
Participation in the Winter Olympics speaks to the popularity of ice carving. It isn’t considered a sport at the Olympics but is seen as a Cultural Olympiad event. The first competition was at the Calgary Winter Games in 1988. On years when the Winter Olympics are held, the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks is considered a qualifying event.
Many of the best ice carvers in the world come to Fairbanks. The art I have included in this series certainly speaks to the talent of the carvers. It was exciting to be at the competition. I only wish I could have been there to see the sculptures lit up with colored lights. Even more, I wish I could have been in Fairbanks for the multi-block competition. Ice Alaska – Facebook includes photos of both if you are interested.
Today I am going to wrap up my photos of the 2016 World Ice Art Championships. In my next blog I will look at the Children’s Ice Park in Fairbanks, the Aurora Ice Carving Museum in Chena Hot Springs, and the snow carving contest connected to the Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage. In other words, I am not quite done with ice art!
Ice Carvers from Thailand (Is there ice in Thailand?) put the finishing touches on their graceful sculpture titled “Don’t Leave Me Now.”
“Don’t Leave Me Now” lit up by white lights on the night of the ice sculpture judging.
This beautiful sculpture reflecting the sky was called First Breath. It would have been an icy one.
“First Breath” ice sculpture lit up at night.
Dean De Marais uses his chainsaw to put finishing touches on the ice sculpture known as H^2.
H^2 prepares for takeoff at night. Or maybe it is landing.
“Son of Sun” was created by carvers from China.
“Son of Sun” at night
A fisherman displays his prime catch in “Kingfisher.”
The model that “Kingfisher” was based on.
There was quite a set of chompers on this fellow titled “Snapped.” I’d give him a wide berth. But there was another reason for his wide open jaws besides hunger…
A snapping turtle had him by the tail!
A futuristic “Mission on Mars.”
Two carvers from France created “Destinee.”
A carver adds a touch of color to this huge bear titled “Renewed Embodiment.”
Where there are huge bears, there are likely to be moose. His title: “Stargazing.”
The title to this sculpture, “Hard to Handle,” seems something of an understatement.
This boy seems to have hooked into a whopper! It is my last photo for the 2016 World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks.
Wandering through Time and Place 