Showcase Sunday - The Russian Collection

For a long time Russia was my favourite countries to visit because it is nuts. So many times did I feel like I was on the set of a David Lynch movie, not knowing what was going on but loving every second of it.
For this weeks Showcase Sunday I wanted to put together my sculpting experiences from this crazy wonderful country. I will admit upfront that these are not my best sculptures because they are quite old and many also my first attempts at new materials but hopefully the stories that surrounds their making will be worthy of your attention. I have to say that these are some of my favorite posts when it comes to my writing.
Click on the images to be taken to the posts.

My introduction to Snow sculpture

My first attempt at snow and first time to Russia, A long journey on the Transiberian railway brought us to the city of Perm. Like going back in time it is still on of my favourite projects and the sculpture wasn't too bad for a complete amateur.

Dr. snow and the attack of the greedy cube

I was so happy to return to Perm again and all the adventures it entailed from having the most beautiful interpreter to having to deal with the Mafia.

My introduction to Ice Sculpture

My first attempt at ice was a disaster but it needed to be documented. A mixture of Climate change and being one of the more technical materials to master is what I'll blame it on.

Caged baby

Straight after my first attempt in Moscow we caught the train to St. Petersburg for more ice. I think we achieved much better results because of the advice from other carvers. A very strange piece but we managed to make it work. St. Petersburg is magical.

Cool Carvings teaser

Niall Magee and I headed to the Siberian Arctic to take part in an international ice sculpture cometeition in the city of Salekard and we challenged ourselves to make a documentary film of our journey. The sculpture was actually quite nice and the documentary which you can see below was pretty successful, being aired on Irish television and also doing the rounds of some film festivals.
My first time to try and make something for TV and so for me, a great achievement.

Wet and Dry

It was amazing to return to St. Petersburg during the summer to make a sand sculpture right where a few years earlier we had made an ice one. More adventures along the way that had little to do with sculpture and for me these are the highlights of this post.

This was the last time I was in Russia but hopefully I will get to visit again 'cause I really miss the madness.
For now Happy Sunday.