For the annual Winter Show at Wheaton College, I was invited to participate to create ice sculptures. I decided to make an ammonite! As a science enthusiast, I really wanted to make the sculpture as realistic as possible and after spending around 5 hours, this is the final version:
The PROCESS
It all started with the my usual office hour visit to confident and Professor Collins on a Tuesday. I told him about my participation at the ice sculpture event and I was considering to do something interesting but I needed some inspiration.
He said, "Well, look just look around you and follow what calls out to you."
Professor in Geology at Wheaton College and NASA Europa Clipper Mission Camera Scientist, had multiple rock samples, geologist field tools, thick-spine books, papers, folders, the solar system posters, geographic maps, and all you can imagine a cool professor's office.
I noticed a plastic replica of a sectioned complete ammonite. It called out to me and I grabbed it. He allowed me to take it as a physical model reference and I tried my best to recreate it on ice.
This is how the block of ice arrived on the site. There were a total of around 12 blocks around the library front yard and 12 very excited design/visual art students.
Advisor and professor, Kelly Goff, handed us the materials and tools we needed. Both electric and manual tools.
After 5 hours, hot chocolate, and a lot support from friends and professors, I finished : )
Considering this was my first time at ice sculpting, I consider my design successful. I truly enjoyed this experience and I wish I could do it again.