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FLEETING BEAUTY: e Fine Art of Ice Sculpting BY MELISSA SORGE | PHOTOS BY RHONDA Y KONICKI, COURTESY OF ICE ALASKA T he holiday season glistens, festive with decor and lights–a winter wonderland wrapped in ribbon, drenched in the scent of fir and cloves, and fondly reminiscent of childhood memories and the excitement of feeling utterly alive. It is this time of year when ice sculpture art catches our eye and captures our heart. e distinctive art form, sparkling and effervescent, renders us captive to its beauty and intricacy before it melts, ever so delicately, away. An impermanent yet visceral fine art, ice sculpting is synonymous with the glamour and beauty of the winter holidays. At festivals, competitions, cultural events, and private functions around the world, ice sculptures bring beauty and character to their surroundings, and the artists who create them do so with unmatched skill and technique. Sculptors start with a creative vision and then utilize technical skills and knowledge to bring their pieces to life. Beginning with a large block of ice, sculptors must remove pieces of the ice, little by little, with tools such as chisels, chainsaws, files, and torches to achieve the desired shape. Artists must work quickly, cognizant of environmental conditions, as ice will only retain its shape for a short period of time in warm climates. Finally, when the piece is finished, sculptors are expected to deliver their finished products to their clients or to a show or competition fully intact and unmelted. ere is certainly a great amount of skill and precision involved in this cra! V U E N J . C O M 75

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