Ice carving, an artistic form of sculpture, has been increasing in popularity. These large chucks of ice have become in style at buffets, weddings and social gatherings. We stare at them in admiration as they before our very eyes soon start their transformation into melting globs. Like memories of the past they fade and melt away, leaving us with an almost unidentifiable uncertainty, searching through our mind trying to reconstruct the image of what once was. Perhaps it is this trait that attracts us to the sculpture and continually redirects our attention to witness their progressive decomposition. However, short-lived the creation, we find them to be a delightful visual addition to any culinary occasion

A Sculpted Center Piece

When a sculptured block of ice is placed as the centerpiece it augments our visual appreciation. Art and food come together stimulating and tantalizing our taste buds. One doe not have to go into detail to prove this presumption. How many times have your heard the words “ My, doesn’t that look delicious!” In culinary schools the importance of presentation is taught to the student and considered to be equally as essential as a dish’s preparation.

Creating an ice sculpture a student must first conceive a theme for the carving. It can be associated with the prepared dishes, an event, a holiday, or a fantasy. First, they must obtain or conceive a two-dimensional drawing of the subject and present it to the instructor. Once approved, the instructor discusses the techniques that the student will need to utilize in carving the sculpture, and the student gets an appreciation for the difficulties they will face sculpting the ice. Though, carving ice is not the same as carving marble or stone an individual needs to acquire the ability to think in form and depth. Where a hammer and chisel are the prevalent tools for carving marble, the chain saw has become the basic tool for sculpting ice. Don’t be deceived by the speed of cutting that can be attained with a chain saw; a block of ice can be ruined as fast as a block of marble, especially in cold temperatures below twenty degrees. The ideal temperature for sculpting ice is between twenty-two and twenty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is to cold the ice becomes brittle and easily cracks. If the temperature is to high the ice becomes to plastic and melts as it is being worked. Even at ideal temperatures the sculptor has to take care when cutting or chipping the ice as cracks can develop and travel completely though the block. It is best to proceed patiently and carve away a little at a time. Working slowly also gives the sculptor time to examine the progress and view the three dimensional development of the work. Patience and perseverance is the key to success. Ruining a piece would must probably be like the feeling you get when you park your car on a hill, leave it in neutral, forget to pull or push the parking brake, and watch it roll away down hill smashing into a stone wall. It’s best to take the time and not rush.

Cutting Away

First, an instructor will most likely initiate a student to the proper use of a chain saw. The student learns to safely use and maintain the saw, and is given a large chunk of ice or an old carving to practice on. Instructors like Chef Murray Long of the Atlantic Culinary Academy, are often ask by a student. “What do you want me to carve?’ Murray’s answer is, “anything you want just hack away. Surprise me.” As the student cuts away on a practice piece Murray gives advice and demonstrates techniques. When the student has become comfortable with the saw it’s time to join with several other students on a project. The students now learn to refine their carving skills. The first step is to scribe an outline on the block with an awl or a scribe. Next, the outline is traced with the chain saw. Now it is decided which areas of the sketch are forward, which recede, and any areas that will be completely cut through. The nonessential ice is slowly removed and the recesses are taken out a little at a time. The sculptor will cut into the outline and if the area is large enough several slices into the area being removed will be made. To remove the unwanted ice that has been sliced a tool looking similar to a large hair pick (technically referred to a six Prong Chipper) is used. The process is repeated until the area becomes too small for the use of a chain saw. The carving may not yet resemble any thing like it will when completed but will start to have shape and form. At this time anything that will have a rounded shape may be roughed out. Once this accomplished the block may resemble a large chunk of massacred ice that has been attacked by ‘Leather Face’ from the movie The Chainsaw Massacre; however, it is at this point in the creation that the sculptor starts to define the subject. Working with rotary grinders, chisels, and sanding disks defining the ice sculpture continues. Slowly, the sculpture emerges and detail is brought forth. This is the most critical part of sculpting process. A mistake here may completely ruin the piece and will make starting over from the beginning necessary.

Shaping the Ice

The work continues tediously using the chisels, rotary rasps, and sanding disk. If an area needs to be made flat and smooth a flat iron is used to melt and smooth the ice. Once completed the sculpture is it stored in a freezer until display time. Besides working on the sculpture the student have been preparing the menu, discussing and testing recipes, all in preparation for the final staging of food and ice. One is just as important as the other and the student is graded on the whole presentation.

Chiseling Ice