I didn't get a chance this year to photograph any of the carvers at work, but check out this post from last year to see some of them at work and get an idea of the variety of their tools in carving these masterpieces.
This particular work, by two Russian carvers, won first place in the pairs competition among ice carvers at Confederation Park. It certainly feels Russian, particularly the old man at the right.
Hard to believe how delicate!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
<3
Lovely work.
ReplyDeleteI like your new header, it's beautiful.
Have a nice week.
hugs
Delicate work and, I suppose, one needs a long time to make them.
ReplyDeleteTomás.
Hard to imagine that these are made of ice. They're so intricate!
ReplyDeleteWonderful art work, I hope the temperatures remain under 0C a long time !
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty amazing piece of work.
ReplyDelete@Cloudia: yes, one mistake and the whole work can be ruined.
ReplyDelete@Orvokki: thank you!
@Tomas: actually they're on a clock when they build these- they have the first weekend of the festival to finish them.
@Halcyon: they certainly are.
@Karl: there's no sign of warmer temperatures anytime soon. Sun and wind can do damage to these things, though, which is why they shelter them like this.
@Sharon: I certainly thought so.
This is my fave so far William.. was interesting to go back and see the sculptors at work.
ReplyDeleteamazing talent!
ReplyDeleteThey are very talented!
ReplyDeletewow, that's funky! amazing how they can do things like that walking cane!
ReplyDeleteThese carvings are not only detailed but probably represent something out of Russian folktales. It would be interesting to find out it's origin.
ReplyDeleteI can see why it won a prize!
ReplyDeleteThese are just amazing William.
ReplyDeletePhenomenal work so precise. Thank you for sharing all.
ReplyDeleteSpectacular! I would really like to see these guys at work...
ReplyDeleteGet shots of the sculptors at work!
ReplyDeletegreat shot, still liking the tree one the best so far.
ReplyDelete@Grace: I figured it was a good idea to include that link.
ReplyDelete@Tanya: definitely.
@Linda: beyond my meagre abilities, for sure!
@Tex: it's the finest details that require the most care with these.
@Red: the stories must be steeped in tradition, so no doubt this reflects something from their history. It feels Siberian.
@EG: it deserved the first place finish.
@Luis: thanks!
@Carolann: it is enjoyable to watch them at work.
@Norma: I doubt they'll be doing anymore this week, so I'll have to do so next year.
@Gill: thank you!
Beautiful photos of the the ice sculptures! :)
ReplyDeleteThese are gifted artists that do this kind of thing! Ice must be very difficult to work with...how do you fix something that broke off by accident?
ReplyDeleteThese look quite intricate. I like the guys that take on ice chunks with chainsaws.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a fantastic work of art! That rope looks like a real one. They are seriously skilled carvers!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see how they deal with the animal's neck and head.
ReplyDeleteThat one is brilliant. When enlarged you can really see the detail.
ReplyDeleteThe details are amazing ! I like your last year's post ... very interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful! I heard on the news that 2 people went through the ice at Winterlude - apparently in an area that was snow covered.
ReplyDeleteI remember last year's post. This one is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe all those details!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a Russian feel!
ReplyDeleteAmazing work isn't it ? Thanks for sharing , have a good day !
ReplyDelete@Jen: thank you!
ReplyDelete@Lowell: in case of the first sculpture I showed, sometimes you just have to leave it- the bow in the archer's hand didn't come out as expected.
@Birdman: that's definitely an early in the process tool to use!
@Tamago: they definitely are.
@Revrunner: it takes great care.
@Denise: and more of that great detail to come.
@Anna: I figured it was appropriate to add that on.
@RedPat: yes- the spot on the lake where it happened isn't part of the skateway, so the ice would be quite different beneath the snow.
@Ciel: I certainly thought so.
@Marleen: they came out beautifully this year.
@Cheryl: I thought so.
@Country Gal: you're most welcome.
That's a beautiful, amazing piece of work. What a great festival!
ReplyDeleteI am just now catching up on your Winterlude posts and they are beautiful. I love the ice carvings. The artists are so talented!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite yet! Amazing.
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
i am totally beyond amazed by your header shot ... did you just change that? awesome!! i love it!! the snow ... i am heading to Canada now i need me some snow. a snow fix. now please. ha. ha!! ( :
ReplyDeleteIt looks like some scene out of the seventeenth century.
ReplyDelete@Kay: it draws in a huge number of visitors every year.
ReplyDelete@Lois: they are gifted at what they do.
@Janis: thank you!
@Beth: I changed it a couple of days ago. I knew I wanted two winter banners this year. I've picked my spring header image, but that'll wait until the end of March.
@Mari: that's what it reminds me of.
These are neat, but I'm glad I don't make them. My fingers get cold collecting yard poo.
ReplyDeleteThey sure do have a Russian feeling.
ReplyDeletevery delicate fine work .. I hope they have a way to repair broken pieces
ReplyDeleteThey had me at "reindeer."
ReplyDeleteMy favorite so far.
ReplyDeleteWe have to drive into the city for a medical appointment (#33). Hubby is weak, with prep, and not up to visiting the ice sculptures. Otherwise, it would be a lovely distraction.
ReplyDeleteYour lovely photos are enticing! Thanks for sharing them.
Very cool!
ReplyDeleteNot only is this beautifully crafted, but there is a wonderful atmosphere in this scene that seems to tell a story.
ReplyDelete@Whisk: I wouldn't have the skill.
ReplyDelete@Jack: indeed.
@Denton: it depends on how large the error is.
@Linda: good!
@Randy: thanks!
@Jennifer: you're welcome.
@Shelly: literally!
@Gemma: quite true!