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Cool art: London hosts ice sculpting festival
2009-01-09
LONDON (AFP) - Five international teams armed with chainsaws and chisels set to work Friday on giant blocks of ice as London's first ice sculpting festival got underway. Outside the Natural History Museum, sculptors from Britain, Bulgaria, France, Italy and the Netherlands began carving the two-tonne blocks into artworks based on the theme of wildlife in the city. Freelance art critic Carol Cordrey, who organised the festival, got the idea after seeing a competition in Switzerland. "I thought how wonderful it would look in London, how exciting to encourage people to come and enjoy it. I also have a deeply felt mantra of art for all," she said. The free event also includes master classes where people can try to chisel their own ice block into a sculpture. Nick Fox, 45, and Natalie Staniforth, 35, are representing Britain. "We have designed a Godzilla-style pigeon trampling poor London," said Fox. "It includes Big Ben, the Gherkin and we're hoping to include part of the London Eye." The winner will be announced at midday on Sunday.
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