Here we are, taking a childish delight in the first proper snow of the year and whatever snowman-like figure we can come up with, or maybe even a snow angel, which is arguably the easiest thing ever to make with snow. And then there's this guy who can carve a functional and quite magical boat out of ice.
If you're only going to read about a single viral story today, this one should be it. This magical boat is made entirely out of ice, features exquisite detailing, and is actually water-worthy, even though it might not get you where you need to be. Strike that: it will definitely not take you anywhere far.
This is the work of Minsk-based artist Ivan Karpitsky from Belarusia, who is known locally for ephemeral work of this kind. In previous years, he's made headlines for snow castles, snow boats, and other incredible sculptural pieces made of snow. From what we can tell, this is his first work entirely out of ice – and it's a memorable one.
As detailed on his social media and shown in the video available below, it all started out with big chunks of ice that Karpitsky piled and "glued" together with water before he began carving.
Photo: Instagram/Ivan Karpitsky
Working on the banks of the Tsnyanskoe reservoir outside Minsk, he built the hull of the boat and then crafted the superstructure using steel tubing for support. A similar system was needed for the paddle wheels in the back and the rudder he placed in the center of the superstructure. These are the only places where he used anything other than ice.
To launch the boat to water, Karpitsky cut off the ice underneath the hull, and launched it with it. Short videos online confirm its buoyancy and show it moving slowly under its own power. Don't believe everything you see, though, because some trickery is afoot. For one, the spinning rudder is only for show, so it doesn't control the direction of the boat, and it looks like those paddle wheels are operated by a motor powered from the shore.
Still, this is an ice boat that floats – and looks good while doing it, too. It's no Lurssen megayacht, but it's impressive nonetheless.
Karpitsky's creation immediately went viral, prompting requests from his followers to build something similar on commission, a request the artist has already turned down. He seems equally resistant to the idea of doing more lasting pieces. Works of art made of snow and ice might be gorgeous to look at, but you can only do it for so long before they melt.
But maybe their ephemerality is part of their charm, and Karpitsky knows it better than his followers on social media.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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