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The creation of an ice sculpture requires plenty of preparation and strategic planning. For those who have mastered the craft, ice is much more than frozen water. It is their medium, their canvas, and their artistic expression coming to life in the form of ice. Sculpting is a technical art form and involves more than simply sawing ice into a shape. Generally the process begins with making the ice artificially from pure water. This ensures the ice is clear or opaque (depending on what the artist wants) and free of imperfections. Naturally frozen ice is unsuitable for carving because it is full of bubbles, cracks and impurities. Dye may be added to the ice during the freezing process to create a colored effect. The size of the ice rests on its purpose. Weddings and other celebrations use an ice sculpture to enhance the taste of food or provide a cooling system for drinks. Other purposes for sculptures include: small event decorations, recreational use at a carnival or ice sculpting competitions. Careful handling and a cool environment are needed to transport the ice to its carving destination. After properly wrapping and preserving the ice for transport, heavy blocks are moved by machinery to a freezer truck. The truck then hauls it to a suitable environment where it waits to be carved into an ice sculpture. The environment where the ice sculpture is carved is extremely important and affects the preservation and time the artist needs to complete his or her work. A controlled environment, with a temperature below freezing, works best to store the sculpture and prevent it from melting. Ice sculpture artists come from all around the globe. Some do it as a hobby, while others spend their days perfecting their technique and competing in ice carving competitions. Notably, most snow and ice festivals occur in Canada, Sweden, USA and United Kingdom, where winters are cold. Ice sculpting schools also exist and offer courses in sculpting taught by seasoned sculptors. Artists must wear protective gear before handling ice. Warm clothing, gloves, earplugs, safety goggles and a hardhat are necessary to prevent against frostbite or possible injury from power tools. Several tools are used to build an ice sculpture. Hoists or tongs move the blocks into place. Chainsaws carve out the initial design and remove excess ice. From there, chisels, ice picks, irons, handsaws, and an ice blower perfect the structure. Ice blowers remove bits of tiny ice fragments from the structure and an iron or blowtorch polishes the ice. The sculpture’s lifespan hinges on its environment. It could last less than a day or up to several days based on where it’s kept. In competitions, artists may be allotted a certain amount of time to complete their work. In other instances, completion time depends on the complexity and size of the ice sculpture. Color, lights, and other effects are often added for the final display of the sculpture. Its temporary existence and challenging material, paired with the skill and patience of its creator, add to the final beauty and overall enjoyment of the piece.
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