FAQ
Answers to your questions about sand sculpting and ice sculpting
Sand Sculpture
Ice Sculpture
Can a sand sculpture withstand rain? Yes! A light rain will be easily absorbed by a sand sculpture. We also take precautions to make the sculpture resistant to all types of weather.
How long can a sand sculpture stand? A sculpture can stand outdoors for an entire season and even indefinitely in a controlled environment, such as indoors.
Do you add glue or cement to the sand? No. Hardened sand would become impossible to work with.
What's the trick? The choice of sand and the compaction technique.
What type of sand is best for sand sculpting? While sculptures can be made with all types of sand, high-quality sand allows for taller sculptures with more daring vertical elements that defy gravity, a precise and professional finish, and a level of compaction that gives the sculpture better durability against the elements. Fine, clayey sand, commonly known as quarry sand or compaction sand, is preferable to beach sand, which is usually round, polished, and washed by the sea.
What does sand compaction involve? We use formwork to compact the sand. We gradually add sand and water and perform manual or mechanical compaction. Once filled, we can stack a second formwork on top of the first to gain height, and so on. The formwork then serves as scaffolding; we only remove the top levels to start working, standing on the still-formed levels. We work from top to bottom.
But do you add glue? When a sculpture is finished, we can spray a mixture of water and glue on the surface to create a sort of varnish that will protect the sculpture from rain and wind, preserving its details for several months or even years.
What are the risks for a sand sculpture? Unfortunately, vandalism remains the worst enemy of a sand sculpture, and it is best to have security at the site where the sculpture is erected.
Can a sand sculpture survive the winter? Snow accumulation and freezing can cause cracks and collapses, and it is likely that the sculpture will be damaged in the spring.
How long can an ice sculpture last indoors? An ice sculpture at room temperature will retain its details for 6 to 8 hours. Even after that, the mass of ice will take about 24 hours to melt completely.
How do you contain the melting water? We provide a tray that serves as a pedestal and collects the melting water so the sculpture can be displayed for the duration of the event without any mess.
How long can an ice sculpture last outdoors? An ice sculpture can last an entire season if the weather is favorable and will last as long as the temperature remains below freezing. Ideally, it should be in the shade, as sunlight can damage the texture of the ice when temperatures approach the freezing point.