Sunday, March 30, 2014

Sandtastic: Wonderland in Huntsville Botanical Gardens

The Huntsville Botanical Gardens held an event for spring break. They called it the Sandtastic Work of Wonder. It was in anticipation of their Alice in Wonderland theme coming next month. Now, I love all things Alice, so it was amazing to me just for that. But, as usual, no one in Huntsville realized how AMAZING of a thing this really was.


I had many questions, but felt reluctant to interrupt the artist, doing such detailed work. Upon doing some internet research I discovered the artist was working for the Sand Sculpture Company. When I went to look for their website, I found a 'topshelf' company doing work around the globe. I thought, surely this can't be the right company.


I went to their Facebook site, just to make sure. There I was shocked to see a photo of a familiar face - the sculptor I'd watch work in the gardens for hours - working on a several ton piece at a sandart festival in Kuwait! 


This reminds me of the time Tibetan monks came and did a mandala at the Huntsville Museum of Art, and no one talked about it. Huntsville! What wonders you let slip by unadvertised! While everyone knows when the latest beer festival is, this receives no attention? 


Watching him sculpt was a great experience -- probably a once in a lifetime event for me, since I'll doubt I'll head to Kuwait any time soon.


He kept spraying the sand with water, and I wondered if this sprayer contained some kind of setting agent. One of many questions I keep trying to find answers to.


The work was still a few days away from completion when I visited.

 

Compare the above image with the first one and you will see the work he added in about an hour and a half. The front of the Queen's dress and the flamingo are taking shape.


As always, you can click on any image to enlarge and see the details.





















I'll be uploading some video of the artist sculpting on my YouTube and Instagram, so check them out over the next couple of days. And hopefully, I'll be able to track down more information about this work of art. You can see the completed work at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens.

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