York Ice Trail - Ice Carving Display

For those who followed the ice trail map and visited the sculptures in order, this would have been the final sculpture (number 33).

Watching the process of carving an ice sculpture is quite fascinating. Each sculpture begins with the same standard size ice cube. For larger sculptures several cubes are frozen together as in this shot. The design is marked out on the ice, and the ice carver begins carving with his chain saw. Quite quickly the finished design begins to appear.

We didn't wait to see the process completed, since we had several more sculptures to see, and there were already signs of melting on some of the sculptures. Sadly the day was a little warm, and one of the final sculptures we saw which was a Throne of Dreams had already lost some of its fine detail by the time we saw it.

The sculptures are only out for a day - the second day of the Ice Trail had a completely new set of sculptures to the same designs on display.

Ian

[Joan Robillard]

Good capture

[Margaret Brown]

A work of art such a shame it is so fleeting!

[Judith Johnson]

What a lot of work to disappear so quickly when the weather is warm!a lovely tradition, but how long will it last in these years of global warming

[Rob Z]

This has been a fascinating series.

[gloria jones]

Love that you took this photo of the ice sculptor

[Christine Sztukowski]

Fav how fun to watch this artwork

[Babs]

Must be fascinating to watch.

[Renee Salamon]

Great man at work capture

[Pat]

I’m so glad you posted this one as I was curious as to how they were made and how long they lasted.
Great info and a super shot of this craftsman doing his thing.

[bkb in the city]

Great capture

[Kathy A]

Such an amazing thing to watch

[Brian]

Awesome

[John Falconer]

They are very patient and careful. One shaky hand and …..
Great shot.

[Granny7(Denise)]

What a great opportunity to see them being carved

[Dione Giorgio]

Very interesting. Amazing how a big saw like this can bring out all the beautiful intricate shapes in these sculptures.

[KWind]

Great capture of the action!

[Fisher Family]

@joansmor @craftymeg @busylady @robz @seattlite @365projectorgchristine @onewing @rensala @pattyblue @bkbinthecity @kjarn @briaan @johnfalconer @denful @sangwann @kwind

Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.

The first time I saw an ice sculpture at work I was surprised at how quickly they worked, despite the intricate design they were carving. Now I'm just impressed by their skill and confidence. It is fascinating to see the finished sculpture emerge from the ice. Sadly, on this occasion we couldn't watch the completion of the process, since there were still more sculptures to see, and there were already signs of melting on some of the sculptures.

Ian

[Vesna]

Very interesting.

[Fisher Family]

@vesna0210

Thank you Vesna - and it is so fascinating to see what they create!

Ian