Hollywood Industry Proves Ice Sculptures Not Just for Weddings

L.A.'s hot movie, television and celebrity party scenes are ordering more ice bars, ice luges and all manner of sculpted ice faster than it can melt. Not just for weddings anymore, the increased requests are also considerably more elaborate, reports renowned ice artist and owner of LA ICE ART, Rex Covington.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 16, 2007 -- LA's hot movie, television and celebrity party scenes are ordering more ice bars, ice luges and all manner of sculpted ice faster than it can melt. Not just for weddings anymore, the increased requests are also considerably more elaborate, reports renowned ice artist and owner of LA ICE ART, Rex Covington.

When the orders are up, the chainsaws start buzzing. But ice sculpting involves more than just artistry. Intuitive skills in engineering, drawing, and design become a big part of the creative process. A strong back also helps a bit.

"The challenging jobs are always the most exciting," says Rex. "Sometimes I'm not even sure how I'll construct a piece until I'm in the carving pit putting it together," he continued.

The dramatic presentation, however, of a nine-foot polar bear in a five-star ballroom, or a life-sized Pegasus flying through the backyard of a $30 million estate, can include a healthy dose of stress. Several years ago, one acclaimed sculptor actually dropped dead of a heart attack in the foyer of Shaquille O'Neil's Los Angeles home while doing a setup.

The technique of attaching blocks of ice, known as grafting, involves searing the ice with a hot sheet of aluminum and then freezing the pieces permanently together. Ultimately, the passion of the work will overshadow any fear of failure. There is, of course, the occasional pushing of the creative envelope too far. A miscalculation of weight distribution, chiseling a support piece down too far, or even working too slowly on a hot day, can send a sculpture crashing to the ground. But according to Rex, it's all part of the process.

Some unique ice sculptures recently created by LA ICE ART include a 900 pound Panda bear for the film "The TV Set", starring Sigourney Weaver and David Duchovny; an oversized lounge chair for a Tom Hanks/Premiere magazine photo shoot; and a 4 foot diameter ice globe of the earth for a "Real Time with Bill Mayer", and a HBO promo called "The Truth Serum".

LA ICE ART has seen considerable growth over the years. And with the insatiable demands of the Hollywood industry showing no signs of stopping, Rex hopes to continue fulfilling fantasies and dazzling partygoers with his incredible creations, celebrity or not.

Photos of these and other ice sculptures by Rex Covington, can be viewed at: www.LAICEART.com

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