VUE

If traveling to Asia, Europe, or even Alaska is not in your near future, you can still appreciate the art of ice sculpting right here in the tri-state area. Our own New York City is home to a world-renowned custom ice studio founded by father-and-son duo Takeo and Shintaro Okamoto. Originating in Japan, the Okamoto family moved to Alaska, where Shintaro followed in his father's footsteps and fostered his passion for ice carving. When we asked Shintaro why he works with ice as opposed to other mediums to create his art, his response revealed his deep passion for the cra. He asserted: "Ice is no doubt a tricky material—wet, cold, slippery, and heavy. But it is beautiful and humbling, and it is exhilarating to carve just like any other material but so much faster with very sharp tools." At their creative headquarters in New York City, Takeo, Shintaro, and their team work with both traditional hand-tools as well as innovative technologies to carve unforgettable pieces including sculptures, public installations, brand logos, and party decor. Okamoto Studios embodies the essence of the fine art of ice sculpting, recognizing that the beauty of the art lies in its impermanence. Shintaro Okamoto believes that, "...sculpted ice physicalizes the present moment, like a performance art or the most precious meal of your life, something ephemeral, precious, to cherish only as memory." What better way to feel alive, present, and exhilarated than by taking in the beauty of sculpted ice—the art itself is but momentary, but the experience and the memories will last forever. 1 7 U N I O N P L A C E , S U M M I T, N J 0 7 9 0 1 ( 9 0 8 ) 2 7 3 . 9 6 5 8 • I N F O @ Z O K U S A L O N . C O M C O L O R C U T S K I N

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