We spend part of every winter creating artwork that is made of materials that disintegrate naturally. Often the material of choice is snow and ice but sometimes we work with fallen trees and branches to create temporary artworks. The following are some images of these works.
Icehotel - Jukkasjärvi , Sweden 2023
The original ice hotel was started in 1989 and is now called “Icehotel”. It is located in the village of Jukkasjärvi Sweden, which is about 200 km north of the arctic circle. There are 15 artist teams that are chosen each year from around the world to create artist designed rooms for guests to stay overnight. We have completed two rooms, Feline Lair in Icehotel #30 in 2019 and again in 2023 for Icehotel #34. Each room takes approximately 12 days to complete and most days being around 10hrs a days. The experience is amazing as we get to meet and work along side other artists, designers and architects, along with support teams, work crews and specialty staff that are inspirational. Each year this unique hotel gets remade within the winter wonderland that is enjoyed by people from all over the world.
For this hotel, the ice and snow are produced right there on site. The ice is harvested at the end of each winter and stored in refrigeration. A combination of natural snow and artificial is made each year in November from the water of the Thorne River with snow making machinery which is packed into forms to create the structures. Every year the hotel melts back into the Thorne River making it an environmentally friendly process.
Beaver Lodge - Icehotel #34, Jukkasjärvi , Sweden 2023
Welcome to the humble home of this hardworking beaver pair. Beavers are incredibly industrious creatures who are critical for a healthy ecosystem to which many other creatures benefit from. With their dams, they help stabilize water levels and protect against drought, floods, controlling erosion and improving water quality, while creating wetland habitat which increases biodiversity. A truly unique environmental hero.
Walking into this quiet and secure den constructed of chewed logs, mud and grass, you can marvel at the dome’s architecture. The dwelling is illuminated by a band of undulating water that flows around the entire base of the carved walls symbolizing the local tributary. One beaver is happily chewing near the headboard while its partner is just caught entering with a freshly cut twig with leaves. We hope the chewing doesn’t keep you awake through the long dark night of this winter oasis.
My way to work one day in December 2023 at Icehotel Sweden
Feline Lair - Icehotel #30, Jukkasjärvi , Sweden 2019
Relax in this purrrrfectly charming tapestry, while your feline sentinels guard you and your dreams in this cozy lair. Feel the contrast as you exit the Arctic landscape and enter its tropical peer. Lounge on jungle leaves while admiring your feline guardian cat who is waiting and ready to protect you through your dreams in this cozy lair. You are drawn to retire as the bed of ice and the lighted leaves guide you. Acknowledge the warmth knowing your nocturnal cat is securely at the foot of your bed, watching the door and keeping the birds quiet throughout the night.
Photo by Asaf Kliger
Snowking Festival - Yellowknife, North West Territories, 2020
We were asked last minute by a friend to participate with her at the Snowking Snow Sculpture Symposium with a theme of “Space”. We decided to create the piece referencing “Chris Hadfield”, our Canadian astronaut, playing guitar which he is famous for doing while at the International Space Station. The astronaut was surrounded by space dust and a flying pig on a spaceship.
It was the 25th anniversary of this recurring castle which was founded by Anthony Foliot, aka “Snow King”, when he created his first castle on the lake for his children. This was our first time at this event and we were so inspired by the volunteers and workers ( Kings, Queens and royal snow nobility) who put together an actual castle, equipped with many rooms, some heated!, a stage for music, dance floor, ice slides and curio areas for the young at heart, all on the Great Slave Lake located in Old Town.
This sculpture was started with a block that was 10’ x 10’ x 10’
Silverskate Festival - Edmonton, Alberta
The Silverskate festival just had its 30th year anniversary. Its located every February in Hawelak Park and is one of Albertas best winter festivals which runs for 2 weeks and has something for everyone, including a folk trail with live actors, musicians playing in heated tents , winter sports competitions, an aboriginal story telling area, kid friendly fun and snow sculptures.
We have been snow sculpting at this festival for over 10 years and have created many sculptures for their past competitions, current symposiums and some commissioned work for the festival grounds.
Winterlude National Snow Sculpture Gatineau, Quebec & Ottawa, Ontario
Winterlude is an annual winter festival held in both Ottawa and Gatineau and had a National Snow Sculpting Competition run by the National Capital Commission. The competition ended in 2011.
Elk Walking - Art Walk In The Woods - 2017
These pieces were made for Canmore’s annual Art Walk In The Woods, a public art program that happens in the wooded area below the Nordic Centre.
