June 16, 2010 – Berlin, Germany – Germany’s biggest and oldest sand sculpture festival. From over 2.000 tons of sand the best sand artists from all over the world created 13 fragile phenomena of up to 10 metres in height. ”Head in Sand” is the theme of this year’s competition. More than 20 exceptional artists from 10 different countries will enter the amiable contest of putting heads and faces into the sand. ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: zumawireworldphotosthree298467
Apparently Sand Sculpting is a thing and I’ve been out of the loop. Incredibly dedicated and dexterous artists have perfected what we, as children all strive for: building the ultimate sand castle. Not only can they create any kind of dreamland and/or castle, these sand artists have expanded their sand art to abstract figures, realism, animals, pyramids, celebrities, and really anything else you can name.
On an annual basis, countries all over the world host Sand Festivals in which contestants enter and compete for first place. Some festivals come with a theme, others divide into categories based on age and teams, but all festivals come with artistry. Some of the most popular festivals are held in Berlin (Sandsation), in Portugal (International Sand Sculpture Festival ) and India (The Goa Sand Art Festival ).
The passion of one man, Sudarshan Patnaik inspired many to become involved in sand art. Not only did he love sculpting sand, he loved sharing it with others. In 1995 his friends and support system helped found the Sand Art Institute in Puri, India.
Now, one might think anyone with a shovel and time can build a sandcastle, it’s not all that cool. Actually, it takes a lot more than just a shovel and time. It takes training, patience, a whole lot of water, knowing the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ sand, the understanding of physics and its affect on sand, an awareness of tidal patterns and all kinds of random kitchen tools. There is such a thing as sand-sculpting technique and just like any other art form this takes intense training. The people who enter the professional Sand Festivals are serious about what they do.
Reading about what’s needed and what cautions to take in building a sculpture, has made me want to run to the beach and get started. It sounds like a blast. I’ve never witnessed a sand sculpture, but it’s definitely on my bucket-list (pardon the pun) now.
To see more beautiful pictures of Sandart follow us back to Newscom.com
This picture taken 07 July 2004 shows a sculpture on the site of the Sand Sculptures Festival of Blankenberge, Belgium. YVES BOUCAU/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: afplive597898
A sand sculpture with a crack through its face can be seen in front of Berlin’s landmark TV tower 26 July 2007. The art work of sand is on show with many others during this years sand sculpture festival “Sandsation 2007″ which has been extended to 26 August 2007. NIGEL TREBLIN/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: afplivetwo160390
Iranian artists work on their sand artworks during a sand sculptures festival in the city of Babolsar north of Tehran, in the Caspian sea shore on August 11, 2006. Some 200 sculptures of Iranian artists have been approved to built in the shore of Caspian sea. Fars/Abaca/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: abaphotos105080
A sculpture signs his sand creation on the beach in Kiev 26 June, 2004, during the Second International Festival of Sand Sculptures. More than 30 young artists take a part in the contest in the Ukrainian capital. SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: afplive592725
Dutch sand sculptor Lars Borst puts final touches on his sculpture showing Icarus and Zeus during the Sand Sculpture Festival “Sand World” in Travemuende near Luebeck July 5, 2007. About 75 international artists use some 9,000 tons of special sand at the Baltic Sea beach of Travemuende to create sculptures themed ‘Time travel through the history of mankind’. The festival runs from July 6 until September 2, 2007. CHRISTIAN CHARISIUS/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: rtrltwo405178
June 16, 2010 – Berlin, Germany – Germany’s biggest and oldest sand sculpture festival. From over 2.000 tons of sand the best sand artists from all over the world created 13 fragile phenomena of up to 10 metres in height. ”Head in Sand” is the theme of this year’s competition. More than 20 exceptional artists from 10 different countries will enter the amiable contest of putting heads and faces into the sand. ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: zumawireworldphotosthree298465
A sand sculptor creates a lionhead of sand on the beach of Zeebrugge on the first week of the sand sculpture festival in Zeebrugge, 02 August 2000. The theme of the 4th edition of the festival is “Adventurous Africa, in search of the secrets of the jungle”. The lionhead is a part of “The lion mountain”, one of the 19 sand sculpture scenes. The sandsculpture festival lasts from friday August 11th through monday September 18th at the beach of Zeebrugge. Benoit_Doppagne European Press Agency/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: epaphotostwo461020
Dutch Edith van de Weterring stands in front of her sand sculpture ‘Life’ during the International Sand Sculpture Festival in Rorschach, Switzerland, 14 August 2008. The festival runs until 16 August and has the motto ‘Traum und Wirklichkeit’ (Dream and Reality). REGINA KUEHNE/EPA/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: epaphotostwo280690
A skillful sand sculpture stands at the beach of Lakolk at the island of Roemoe. Every year sand artists meet at Roemoe for the International Sand Sculpture Festival. Roemoe is located in the region of Jutland in Denmark. It is a popular holiday destination at the North Sea. The Kingdom of Denmark is located in Scandinavia. The peninsula Jutland forms the Danish mainland while approximately one third of the country is situated on 406 islands in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. Holger Leue/picture-alliance / DUMONT Bildar/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: dpacreative031965
You may also be interested in these other related blogs back at FocalPoint:
Pictures of the Week: Sand Sculptures
Amazing 3D Chalk Drawings
Picture of the Week: Animal Lipsticks
Pictures of the Week: Playing With Food
Tags: goa sand art festival, sand festival, sand sculpture, sandsation, sudarshan patnaik