CURIOUS FIREFOX

AN ICE SCULPTURE

"Curious Firefox" is an ice sculpture carved on-site by renowned ice, snow, and sand sculptor Cliff Vacheresse. It will depict a Red panda reaching out to touch the beyond with its characteristic curiosity.

This piece will shine a light on the commendable work done by the Edmonton Valley Zoo on the recovery efforts of this mischievous species through their participation in the Red Panda Network.

This sculpture will be made from the purest representation of winter in our Northern community - ice and snow, and illuminated with color-changing LED lights, representing the Aurora Borealis.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

CLIFF VACHERESSE.

Cliff Vacheresse started his ice and snow carving career in 2011 by helping build slides and mazes for the Ice on Whyte (IOW) Festival in Edmonton, Alberta. As time passed, he gained enough experience to become the festival's lead sculptor.

Cliff works full-time every winter, from November until March, planning, executing, and leading a team for festival builds for towns all over Alberta. His works have been featured at High Level's Frostival, Grande Prairie's Grande North Winter Festival, and Lake Louise's Ice Magic.

In 2015, Cliff began sand carving and, in 2022, was invited to contribute to the 'A World of Sand' exhibit in Søndervig, Denmark.

This is Cliff's fifth year contributing ice sculptures to Zoominescence. His previous masterpieces include Polarset and Reigning Light on the Caribou.

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TADA! THE RED PANDA

A RED PANDA LANTERN

Red pandas are on the endangered species list, with fewer than 10,000 remaining worldwide. However, thanks to the hard work of the Edmonton Valley Zoo, there are a few more than there otherwise would have been!

The Edmonton Valley Zoo participates in the Red Panda Network, resulting in 30 Red Panda Pups being born here in Edmonton! To celebrate this success, GABS has created TADA! The Red Panda— a fuzzy, glowing friend.

When threatened, Red Pandas rear up on their hind legs in order to look big and scare off predators, So Tada will be posed in a manner that would protect a real-life Red Panda...but she has a friendly smile to let you know she doesnʼt feel threatened by you, and only wants to play!

Tadaʼs body will be shaped into the Red panda's iconic and adorably "threatening" hands-up pose, using recycled bamboo curtain, galvanized steel wire, and 3D printed parts. She will then be covered in old recycled bed sheets and faux fur to complete her ironically huggable appearance. Tada will glow a brilliant reddish-orange with white markings, making her impossible to miss!

Habitat loss is the main threat to the Red Panda's survival. Bamboo, the habitat that protects real-life red pandas, will serve as a barrier to protect this illuminating piece.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

GABS.

GABS is an Edmonton-based artist well known for creating whimsical glowing creatures such as a 30 ft baby humpback whale and a life-sized 10 ft by 18 ft woolly mammoth, which is now on display at the Royal Alberta Museum. 

This is GABS's third year attending Zoominescence. In 2022, she brought us Pan-glow-in, a project that brought attention to one of the world's most unusual mammals, the Pangolin. In 2023, she teamed up with local character Trew Facks to create a magical Porcupine Lantern.

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A WHALE'S TALE

AN ODE TO THE HUMPBACK WHALE

A Whale's Tale will depict a 6'Lx6'H, 3D Humpback Whale sculpture frolicking in the ocean waves.

Whaling off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, was a way of life and a global industry that spanned over a century. By 1967, the Humpback whale species was nearly decimated. With the help of environmental regulation and community awareness, the current population increase amongst this species is estimated at 8% per year. Humpback Whales have become ambassadors of sorts for whale conservation. Ask someone to name a whale species; we bet their answer will be Humpback!

Fun Fact: The oldest documented Humpback whale was 95 years old, making it one of the longest-lived species on the planet.

"A Whale's Tale" will be made with recycled rebar fleshed out with 1⁄2 inch and 1' galvanized chicken wire. Details will be added using recycled electrical wire. The waves on this piece will be cut from plywood and painted with mis-tinted paint. The perimeter of the waves will be trimmed in blue rope lights. Swirling colored spotlights will illuminate the whale from below to mimic the dance of sunlight below the ocean waves.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Laura Ouimet Of WE-MET WIRE WORK

Laura Ouimet, a Canadian artist and educator based in Edmonton, Alberta, is a master of Wire Art. Her distinctive style, devoid of power tools, is marvelous to behold. Her preferred medium, chicken wire, is transformed into unique sculptures that have a magnetic pull on the viewer. She has participated in numerous markets and artisan events in Alberta, including the Reynolds Alberta Museum Metal Art Show and Sale. Her sculptures, each a unique creation, have been displayed in cities, universities, galleries, and retail spaces throughout the province, leaving the audience intrigued and fascinated. Her piece, "Love Each Otter," was featured during Zoominescence 2023.

Laura often collaborates with her partner, Louis Ouimet, who assists with wire cutting and welding the armature for her sculptures.

This is Laura’s second year creating for Zoominescence. Don’t forget to check out Laura’s 2023 installation, “Luv each Otter” too!

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