Frankie Carino’s “Castles of Ice” series unfurls an enchanting tapestry where nature’s ephemeral splendor intersects with human ingenuity. Stationed in Los Angeles yet inspired by his Arizona roots, Carino delves deep into the icy realm, capturing images that juxtapose the formidable beauty of carved and naturally occurring ice formations. His sculptures are not just static entities but dynamic dialogues that unravel the intricate relationship between humans and the geological world. Each creation is an ode to both the fleeting beauty of nature and the artistic vision that brings such transitory elements to life. By employing photography and sculpture, Carino’s work serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between human creativity and the world’s natural wonders.
In executing these masterpieces, Carino gathers a team amidst the biting chill, channeling collective effort to manifest his icy visions. This labor-intensive process, conducted behind a hotel setting, highlights the paradox of expending vast resources for temporary marvels. Yet, amidst this paradox emerges the undeniable truth of humanity’s ceaseless awe with the natural realm. This cycle of sculpting and melting, repeated annually, mirrors the natural processes of erosion and transformation, but under the conscious direction of artistic intuition. Carino’s “Castles of Ice” thus becomes a symbol of not just artistic achievement, but a portrayal of human desire to shape and be shaped by the world’s geological wonders.
I loved this idea of making massive ice sculptures just to melt away and rebuild the following year. (…) A collection of wonderful people work hard behind a hotel to create this uniquely human landscape. The construction requires a huge amount of water and human power, arguably an irresponsible amount, seeing the entire thing is gone by April. But the result is a beautiful display of humans’ deep fascination with minerals.
Frankie Carino
More info: Website, Instagram.
