Winterlude 2015 - Update #3 - Completed Ice Sculptures

[Manfred M]

Ottawa's annual winter festival, Winterlude, started up yesterday. It typically runs for the first three weekends in February. I usually get out at least one time each winter with my camera in hand. I hope to get out more often this year. The festival has run annually since 1979 (36 years) and is one of the most important festivals in town.

Ice sculptures, snow sculptures, skating on the Rideau canal skateway (8km / 5 miles each way), music, etc. are all part of the festivities.


Still setting things up




I suspect this will be a place to buy maple taffy when the festival gets going.




Ice sculptures are usually the part I like best. There are teams from all over the world competing for prizes. This two person team is from Latvia.










I'm going to update this thread as I get more shots. I tend to get better shots of the ice sculptures at night when they are lit up, so that's on the to do list.

[JBW]

the sculptures are beautiful. But after almost 15 years in the tropics the thought of wearing all those clothes is scary.

[Manfred M]

Brian - it is scary. It's -25C / -13F outside right now and that doesn't include the windchill.

I'm seriously considering heading back to bed and hibernating until the weather decides to behave itself again...

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured, I can sympathize with enduring such temperatures.

[Mike Buckley]

Such a nice series especially for someone such as myself to see who has never seen an outdoor ice sculpture, much less seen one being assembled. I particularly like the next to last photo because it shows the detail in the ice so well and because of the concentration of the people on the ice.

[IzzieK]

Brian - it is scary. It's -25C / -13F outside right now and that doesn't include the windchill.

I'm seriously considering heading back to bed and hibernating until the weather decides to behave itself again...

You will laugh at this Manfred -- someone sent me a Snoopy cartoon that says "I am not going out until the weather matches my age!"

Anyway...I will look forward to the addendum to this post. I am going to an Ice Carving Festival today at St. Charles that runs from 9am to only 3:30pm so no night shots here...I envy you people and also Dan in Alaska, your festival are really a hit with the international crowd.

[Manfred M]

Here are some shots of the ice carvers doing some of the initial builds, before they get into the detailed carving.


In the international ice carving contest shed. Just an overview of the protected area where the carvers work and the completed work is sheltered from the elements. Lots of people working and the tools of the trade are visible.






Raw materials - the ice is frozen in cardboard boxes, and the complete blocks weigh around 125kg / 275lb.




Tool
s of the trade - the chainsaw seems to be used for the rough cuts.





Airborne - the carver is airborne as he tries to convince the recently cut piece to separate from the larger block of ice.




Manhandling a block of ice into place




Gluing ice together - just use water or a water/ice slurry




A more sophisticated gluing technique - a caulk gun with water.




Surface prep - sort of like sanding, but using a nail (screw) board.





Inspecting how the work is progressing.

[Mike Buckley]

The second series is really fascinating! Thanks for sharing the images.

[Manfred M]

Completed ice sculptures:

I did not get a chance to get downtown yesterday, so I missed the detailed work as the ice sculptures were being worked on. I did head out this evening, assuming (correctly as things turned out) that people would stay home because of the extreme cold and because the Superbowl was on. Here are a few images of the illuminated ice sculptures.

[Mike Buckley]

I had no idea the stuff they do is so intricate!

[IzzieK]

Looking at the shots I did last Sunday at St. Charles Fete de Glace, it makes me embarrassed to even show them here. Your shots are soooo sooooo good even if this is my first time to shoot ice. I will just either go on another pinch and do studio work this week or process my street shots.

[Stagecoach]

Interesting series Manfred, there's some pretty intricate work there.

I found the 'ice tempering test' instruction on the cardboard box interesting although rather basic.

[JBW]

is it a unicorn, a dragon, or a unicorn/dragon? In any case it is beautiful.

[John 2]

Wow for the Photography. Wow for the Ice sculptures. I have never seen this before and at -25C, I am unlikely (never say never) to see it first hand so thanks for sharing.

[Rita]

Your images and the structures are wonderful. I am always fascinated by what these artists do with a block of ice.

[Loose Canon]

This whole series is excellent Manfred.

There is no doubt that I wouldn’t hesitate even for a second to brave the cold to see this! Much less have a chance to fire off some shots!

When it comes to braving the elements to do something worthwhile, I have never regretted doing it. But I have regretted NOT doing it more times than I care to admit to myself. I never remember the cold or the elements. I remember the fun or the adventure. But the missed chances due to the gravitational pull of the couch are permanently engraved in my feeble mind!

I appreciate you bringing this for us.

Oh? Did I mention…

Brrrrrrrr!!!

[selig1656]

Awesome series , so COOL !!!!!!!