The piece was installed in Confederation Park, along with 10 other artists who were part of the BlizzArt exhibition.
The piece was installed in Confederation Park, along with 10 other artists who were part of the BlizzArt exhibition.
It took a week for the ice to freeze due to the unseasonal warm weather in Ottawa
It took a week for the ice to freeze due to the unseasonal warm weather in Ottawa
The 5 foot high blocks of  ice were created outdoors in situ.
The 5 foot high blocks of  ice were created outdoors in situ.
The clothing style was chosen to represent the forefathers of the Winter Carnival.
The clothing style was chosen to represent the forefathers of the Winter Carnival.
I imagined traditional fiddle music to accompany the piece but instead the area was bombarded with Canadian rock classics.
I imagined traditional fiddle music to accompany the piece but instead the area was bombarded with Canadian rock classics.
The first Carnivals enacted mock battles in the ice castles as a release from pent up energy during the long winter months.
The first Carnivals enacted mock battles in the ice castles as a release from pent up energy during the long winter months.
I remember the tacky Carnival Queen beauty pageants of my childhood, where the winner was paraded wearing a sleeveless dress in a convertible during february.
I remember the tacky Carnival Queen beauty pageants of my childhood, where the winner was paraded wearing a sleeveless dress in a convertible during february.
At the turn of the century, French Canadians loved to dance traditional reels and jigs, even though it was considered a sin.
At the turn of the century, French Canadians loved to dance traditional reels and jigs, even though it was considered a sin.

Pharos

Pharos consisted of six blocks of ice with fabric embedded in them created during the Winterlude Festival in Ottawa Canada.  The sculpture represents a light/house that reassures and guides travelers in the night. Pharos personifies the passion of those who live in the northern hemisphere, who have adapted to the harsh climate by creating a rich culture of artistic activities during the dark winter months. The spirit of our resourceful forefathers who initiated the first outdoor winter Carnivals is depicted by figures that dance to entice the sun to return. They stand as a beacon of hope, from the dark towards the light.

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