Iona was planning a party, a themed party entitled "Dr Zhivago in Space".
'OK', we thought....
The question was then asked, "What would you like for your "Dr Zhivago in Space?"
"What can you do?" Iona asked.
It is one of those questions which the answer seems a bit glib and almost arrogant. "We can carve just about anything you wish, within reason". Iona was not quite sure what she wanted, so we gave her a bunch of ideas with images of Vodka Luges we had carved that may fit the bill. From Rockets, to Space Invaders. The Space Invader icon was on the invitation - so we thought it might be an idea she might like.... but No.
Then came the idea of St Basil's Cathedral - the powerhouse of the Kremlin in Moscow. Very iconic of Russia and instantly recognizeable. Iona loved that idea and asked if we could carve that. Naturally, we said 'Yes'.
St Basil's Cathedral - 3
Over the years we have carved many St Basil's Cathedral but always as an ice sculpture; St Basil's Cathedral - 1 , St Basil's Cathedral - 2. Iona wanted it as a Vodka Luge. So St Basil's Cathedral - 3 was conceived as a Vodka Luge. In order to create St Basil's Cathedral - 3 as a luge, we had to make sure there was enough thickness of ice to drill the channel through the ice. This could not be a delicate, intricate and 'thin' Sculpture. It had to be 'chunky' or at least thick ice where we wanted to drill the luge channel. All this needs to be planned and in effect, mapped-out before we start.
St Basil's Cathedral - 3 had the entrance to the channel drilled in the centre tower (to the left) running down through the ice and exiting on the right hand side. It flowed through the thickest and meatiest part of the ice.
This St Basil's Cathedral stood im tall and 1/2m in width. It was big and impressive.
The Luge was set-up just outside the main dining room at Bodnant Hall in North Wales - a very impressive setting for a party. Two long tables (accommodating about 20-25 people per table) faced the Vodka Luge standing on the patio area above the beautiful estate gardens.
When we unveiled the Luge (to a small crowd of about 8-9 people) the oohs and aahs and 'Wow!' came in bucket fulls. They were impressed and all agreed it would be a shining, iconic image of the party. So much so, they gave us a Video Testimonial - see below.
SPECIFICATION -
No. of Ice Blocks - ONE
Item - Ice Sculpture or Vodka Luge
Format - Portrait
Height - 1m x 1/2m wide
Weight 100-120kg
Text - No
INCLUDED -
Delivery to venue - Yes
Complete set-up of sculpture at venue - Yes
Lighting included - Yes
Lighting set-up created for you at venue - Yes
Drain Tray - Yes
Thick-bore tubing - YES
12-point Check Assessment - Yes