Sandcastles 2008
I stopped by the Fort Myers Beach 22nd annual sand sculpting competition last Monday, the day after the event, and after everyone had gone home. I didn't do the big shoot I did last year, but a few of the entries caught my eye. A classic iteration of the theme was nicely rendered in the sculpture above.
A modernist spiral... reminiscent of the deco mood that swept Florida in the 1920s and is still prominent in places like Miami.
A topical piece on the recent federal bailout of the credit sector... a gruesome touch was achieved with the wire 'hairs' sticking out of the banker's shoulders and bald head. I deeply suspect that crusty old villains all have at least one extra-long errant hair growing out of a shoulder.
First place went to Paris Vacation by Thomas Koet. Wonderfully articulated, the punchy piece reminds me of a retro travel poster or a pop-up.
Fort Myers sand is said to be exceptionally suited to sculpting - fine textured, dense, "like buttah." It's amazing what some of these international masters can coax from the sand with just a few tools, skill, and a lot of imagination.
10 tracks in the sand:
What a brilliant eye you have for capturing a moment. And what a wonderful place in which you live. I think I'd like to visit your world some time and stay for a little bit. I think it must be extraordinary.
Those were great! We have an annual sand sculpture exhibit in Olympia, Wa. as well. It draws a lot of visitors.
It could be worse. I could be reporting to you about the Slug races in Alma, Wa. ( not kidding ) ;-)
It takes just the right amount of water and pressure to create a shape that won't sag or crack. Years of practice *ahem* can produce a sandball that will roll several feet down a sand incline without breaking. (It's a game we played as kids.)
Brilliant use of light and shadow here, Joe.
These are so cool!
Wow, and I thought I was doing wonders with just turning the bucket full of sand upside down! ;)
Joe these are luscious!!
My favourite is the modern spiral.
It is simplistic gorgeousness!
Lucky you, you still have lovely weather xoxo
Holy cow, Paris Vacation is spectacular! I love your sandcastle contest posts, Joe. I remember that touching story you wrote about one such event.
...and...eeeew...an errant hair on the shoulder. :P
LOL
I remember your quote from that story, Steph. Which was a quote, though unattributed, of a glorious old friend, now deceased, whom I think about often.
Gill the spiral was a bold gesture. I don't think I've seen anything like it before. I can see it in marble or sandstone in front of a Miami tower. The weather has been delicious. Jeans and a light jacket.
Steven, that's exactly how these guys (and girls) start. Buckets of sand. BIG buckets of sand.
Jazz, they're kewl.
Birdie, thank you. Kids come down to the beach with sets of moulds, globes included, and get pretty good at it. I really like some of the everyday funky amateur confections too, replete with shells, sprigs, motes, and pennants made of gum wrappers on corn dog sticks.
Butch, I'm surprised slug races haven't caught on down here.
Curtis, it has to be seen to be believed... or is that the other way around...?
Thank you for these photos, Joe. The images they put in my mind are magical.
These are a treat and a half, and perhaps more than just metaphorically magic, to look so fantastic a whole day later. Do the winners get some kind of fixative to make them a little less temporary?
It's just my opinion but all the best sandcastles are well-appointed with flags and banners and fences made of whatever found objects the surrounding beach provides.
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