"Where Olmsted County News Comes First"
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Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 5:36:49, May 15th 2013 - Frank Hawthorne - Though I hated to see you reference Glenn Beck by name [Three Times ... [Read More]
- 11:42:07, May 10th 2013 - yenken - I feel very sorry for those who have commented do far, as when you stand fa ... [Read More]
- 12:10:25, Apr 26th 2013 - Frank Hawthorne - Mr. "Cabtrom's" garbage-out[burst]--in response to Ms. Reisner's w ... [Read More]
- 9:51:50, Apr 24th 2013 - jeff pischke - To Jerry Grehl, the number to the fillmore county sheriffs office is 7 ... [Read More]
- 9:27:24, Apr 22nd 2013 - Cabtrom - Blah blah blah, garbage in garbage out! ... [Read More]
- 7:00:49, Apr 11th 2013 - Donald Pierce - Col. Stan Gudmundson hit most of the important nails squarly on the h ... [Read More]
- 12:44:54, Apr 4th 2013 - Frank Hawthorne - My compliments to Ms. Hammer for giving us well-crafted "Rachel Rea ... [Read More]
- 5:09:06, Apr 3rd 2013 - truthiness - I see this is dated April 1. That explains it! ... [Read More]
- 12:04:33, Apr 3rd 2013 - Frank W. Hawthorne - Say WHAT?!? Stan's American-Pie [In SKY] is Falling--Not Again? ... [Read More]
- 12:40:21, Mar 29th 2013 - Jacob - It's a shame that so few people care about making their voices heard. If we ... [Read More]
29
How will you keep your kids busy this summer vacation?
Sculpting Rochester traditions
Mon, Feb 25th, 2013
Posted in Rochester Features
Posted in Rochester Features
Comments
This ice carving was created by Nick Lensing for the Social Ice event.
Rochester events like Wintefest’s Social Ice wouldn’t be the same without ice benches, frozen chairs or dinosaur decorations. But it takes a particular skill set to sculpt ice.
When asked whether ice sculpting requires art or construction skills, local sculptor Nick Lensing said, “It’s a little of both. You’ve got to have some understanding of engineering and art.”
Lensing, Canadian Honker Enterprises Catering Sales Executive, made an ice chair for the Boys & Girls Club A Chair Affair fundraiser this year, like he has the past few years.
Lensing couldn’t attend the February 23 event, but he was happy to contribute. “A Chair Affair is one event that’s near and dear to my heart,” he said. Last year’s frozen chair was sold for $600. A price that buys not only the chair but also a single block ice carving for any event the buyer chooses.
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Lensing studied the garde manger, a French influenced subtype of culinary arts involving the cold kitchen. Ice carving falls under garde manger.
But ice sculpting involves a lot more risk than typical garnishes and culinary decorations. Lensing cut off a small part of his finger a short time ago. “Nothing noticeable,” he said. “But there is danger involved. You’ve got a die grinder spinning 25,000 rpm less than an inch away from your hands. You may be sawing upside down or making intricate cuts at odd angles.”
Working with three hundred pound blocks of ice is dangerous and physically straining. “Carvings are typically done at room temperature,” Lensing added. “Water and electricity are dangers too.”
But Lensing is inspired by his work and the good it does. His family helps too. “I was afraid of taking on a project that was too detailed for Social Ice,” he said. His stepdaughter reminded him that it was best to face your fears. “I ended up choosing the dinosaur sculpture this year because it was so challenging.”
“Social Ice really was a cool event this year,” Lensing said. “No pun intended. And it’s so bizarre. In the middle of June this past year people kept asking about the Social Ice event.”
As Catering Sales Executive, Lensing is busy planning events a year in advance. Planning for Social Ice 2014 is already underway. “The Rochester Downtown Alliance changes it every year,” Lensing said. “The popularity of this event blows my mind.”
When asked whether ice sculpting requires art or construction skills, local sculptor Nick Lensing said, “It’s a little of both. You’ve got to have some understanding of engineering and art.”
Lensing, Canadian Honker Enterprises Catering Sales Executive, made an ice chair for the Boys & Girls Club A Chair Affair fundraiser this year, like he has the past few years.
Lensing couldn’t attend the February 23 event, but he was happy to contribute. “A Chair Affair is one event that’s near and dear to my heart,” he said. Last year’s frozen chair was sold for $600. A price that buys not only the chair but also a single block ice carving for any event the buyer chooses.
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Lensing studied the garde manger, a French influenced subtype of culinary arts involving the cold kitchen. Ice carving falls under garde manger.
But ice sculpting involves a lot more risk than typical garnishes and culinary decorations. Lensing cut off a small part of his finger a short time ago. “Nothing noticeable,” he said. “But there is danger involved. You’ve got a die grinder spinning 25,000 rpm less than an inch away from your hands. You may be sawing upside down or making intricate cuts at odd angles.”
Working with three hundred pound blocks of ice is dangerous and physically straining. “Carvings are typically done at room temperature,” Lensing added. “Water and electricity are dangers too.”
But Lensing is inspired by his work and the good it does. His family helps too. “I was afraid of taking on a project that was too detailed for Social Ice,” he said. His stepdaughter reminded him that it was best to face your fears. “I ended up choosing the dinosaur sculpture this year because it was so challenging.”
“Social Ice really was a cool event this year,” Lensing said. “No pun intended. And it’s so bizarre. In the middle of June this past year people kept asking about the Social Ice event.”
As Catering Sales Executive, Lensing is busy planning events a year in advance. Planning for Social Ice 2014 is already underway. “The Rochester Downtown Alliance changes it every year,” Lensing said. “The popularity of this event blows my mind.”
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