There’s a lot of glass in the Walker Art Center building. Opposites attract, right? Heat makes glass and cold makes ice. Why not combine these two materials in one experience?
Family Programs had a great idea, why not celebrate winter by vicariously embracing ice?
The theme for Free First Saturday, February 7, 2009, was showcasing Minnesota Artists and Arts Organizations, and there were interactive activities for families set up throughout the building.
One of the stops along the way was to watch Zoran Mojsilov chainsaw and carve an ice sculpture (his first) right outside the Cargill Lounge.
People watched the progress of the ice carving from the warmth of the Walker.
Zoran was interested in playing with the chiseled textures in ice and watching the light pierce through this material. Texture is an element he often experiments with in wood and stone, but ice stretched his repertoire. He improvised without having a model or drawing in mind. When one Free First Saturday visitor asked, “What’s it supposed to be?” He answered, “Ask yourself if you like it or not and why?”
By the way, the bronze gorilla staring at his image in the mirror is by the late British artist Angus Fairhurst.
The title of this sculpture is The Birth of Consistency (2004).
A call out of thanks to Christina Alderman and the crew of heavy lifters for getting the ice off the ground!
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