Until last weekend, I’d never attended a sand sculpture contest, despite growing up not that far from the SoCal beach scene. I have now rectified that oversight and I’m suitabilty impressed by the creativity and mad skills of the people who make these things.
One of the biggest faces was this Neptune sculpture, an appropriate subject for Virginia Beach, since this was the Neptune festival weekend. I have no idea how the artist managed to make such an expressive face out of sand and water. I did learn it’s special sand that they use, not the stuff right off the beach. The demonstration artists (cover photo, above) were happy to let anyone feel the sand they use as they talked about the craft and skill involved sculpting sand.
My favorite sculpture was this one. I first saw this view, and was intrigued by the female face peeping through a window, flanked by angry gods.
Then I went around to the other side and did a double take: the woman was an angel playing an organ. The details were amazing, from the organ pipes to the feathered wings and the billowing fabric of her long gown.
Another entry was stunning not for its subject but for its calligraphy. As a font person myself, I could appreciate the beauty of these words carefully cut out of sand.
The other detail that slayed me was this set of spirals that adorned a larger sculpture. Again, the precision! Look at that top edge on each spiral, they are all flawless. Simply amazing.
Details and designs, planning and executing, making sculptures out of sand is a whole different kind of art. It’s beautiful, inspiring, and, most of all, fun to look at. If you get the chance, it’s worth going to see these creations.
No matter what tools you use to create, the true instrument is you.
Rick Rubin
Wow, amazing! So much detail.
I wonder if its greensand or some other casting material?
It must take a special kind of mindset to put that much work into art to then watch it wash away.
One of my favorite things to do in Capitola when they used to host a sand sculpture competition. They are, as you describe, amazing!
That is simply amazing! I’ve never seen anything like this in real life. Maybe some day!