Chips Off the Blocks

Competitive ice sculpting is not all thrills and chills.

A A A Comments By Eric Dexheimer Thursday, Jan 30 2003

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Despite the fatiguing and frigid work, Mike says he never gets tired of creating chilled art. And, contrary to what most people might think, the fleeting nature of his chosen medium is actually part of the appeal.

"How many people are carving in stone? Wood?" he asks. "My Japanese teacher says, 'Ice is ethereal. It's like the cherry blossoms in the spring' -- you know, Japanese and Chinese are all hot about cherry blossoms and shit. 'It's temporary -- put in the mind's eye, it transforms us. You hold it in the palm of your hand and then let it go.' So isn't that nice?"

The iceman carveth: Mike Pizzuto.

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Fear No Ice's Rella agrees. "I love being able to create all the time," he says. Besides, he points out, ice agrees with him professionally. "I've sold thousands and thousands of sculptures. I'd never be able to sell that many bronzes."

"The nice thing about ice," concludes Mike, "is that if it's a good design, you take a picture. If not, you let it melt. You got a fragile ego? Go work in stone."