Africa - sand sculpture

Many hands make light work and on this project that was very true. Around 30 sculptors came together to make a large sculpture park on the theme of Africa in Zeebrugge, Belgiuum. This time there was a big change.

Going professonalish

The organisers (Inaxi) had decided that it was time to pay the carvers who created the work. Up to now I hadn't received any payment for my sand sculpture work. It was all just fun in the sun and that was OK, I was still learning, we all were.

It felt special to be part of these projects, to be discovering a new craft and making lots of good friends from all around the world. The idea of money being involved only started to be talked about because of the massive amount of people paying in to see our work.

It was only right that the sculptors should get a cut, even if it was quite small.

Our pride of Lions

I was asked to work on the large center piece, a great lion roaring at the top of a rock and working down to make other characters. The lion was already started when I arrived by Dutch sculptors Dennis Luijer and Jan Salen. They were working on his body and the discussion came up 'would it be possible to make a cut through under his belly?'

I knew it would be no problem. Like a mouse hole through a mountain, all the weight would just transfer around it making a very safe arch.

The two others were concerned and conscious of the risk of the whole thing collapsing, probably kill us as it did.

Now with money involved it was apparently a big decision and and we had to bring it to the boss man. After much convincing and saying we need not be paid if things went pear shaped the cut through was made.

I think it looks so much better than a lion just lying on the rock. The bit of light coming through made it much more dynamic.

We continued to work down and I made a baby lion trying to climb the rock and a lioness with her paw over her face as if she was embarrassed by her Mate and cub.

The centerpiece did look quite impressive. On the back was carved a staircase to allow for repairs and a pretty nice photo oppertunity. Here is me standing on our creation

Overall the project looked quite impressive with lot to see and other props to give the area a nice African atmosphere.

There were so many details here and there that although there wasn't much of an overall design the elements worked really well together.

Once it opened to the public there was a queue around 1 km long of people wanting to see our work. Maybe there was a possibility of turning this hobby into a job.

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Ps

Thanks for dropping by and reading if you did. Below you can find some of my other posts.

Roman Empire - sand sculpture

Hup Holland Hup - sand sculpture

Ship wreck wrecked - sand sculpture

I hope you'll join me again soon.
@ammonite