GENEVA’S ICE SCULPTURES
by Vivian Holding
I’m really not a cold weather girl. Unless of course I’m snuggled up indoors in front of a roaring log fire with a warming cup of vin chaud in my hand – that I can do.
The only good thing to come out of this week’s Siberian spell as far as I’m concerned, are the impressive ice sculptures that have appeared along the lakeside. A common phenomenon seen often in February to early March when the waters of Lake Geneva are projected by the winds on to the banks, covering the quays, boats, benches, trees and other objects situated at the edge of the lake, creating some pretty impressive shaped ice sculptures.
You could go and check them out for yourself of course, but luckily for cold-phobics like me there are many other ways of witnessing the magic without setting a foot outside, as I’ve discovered.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND NEWS SITES
Thanks to keen amateur and professional photographers braving the elements, any sculptures that have formed so far have gone viral on social media and other news platforms. I share a few of my favourites with you here – courtesy of Isaac Griberg.
If you’ve got photographs of your own you’d like to share with us on our new Facebook group, we’d love to see them. If you’re not yet a member, join here.
PHOTO EXHIBITION – BEAU ET FROID
Another way of getting up close and personal with the magical sculptures is to visit the small and very topical current photographic exhibition Beau et Froid – Les Bises Glaçantes – on display at the Bibliothèque de Genève, located in the Parc des Bastions. Be warned the exhibition is quite hidden.
When you arrive at the library entrance, take the stairs to the first floor where you will be able to view free of charge, the 30 black and white photos exhibited along a corridor of the library.
From the freezing spray that made 2012 one of the most impressive of recent years for the subject, to photographs dating back to the late 1800s when the water of the Rade froze and people can be seen walking and skating on the ice, these photographs provide evidence of past winters in the city.
Personally I found these photos fascinating. I foolishly thought how lucky we were to have had such a mild winter – I think I spoke too soon!
The exhibition runs until the 19th of May. Click here for further information.
PHOTOGRAPHIC BOOK – LEMAN ARCTIQUE ICE STORM BY SANDOR SZABADOS
This book impressively captures the cold snap that hit Switzerland back in February 2012 when frozen sculptures were created by a combination of freezing temperatures and strong bise winds. The collection of photographs come from various sources via both professional and amateur photographers. The perfect fireside book don’t you agree?!
Currently available at FNAC for 49.50CHF (reduced from 55CHF). Click here to order your copy.
