Ischgl awards “Best-of: 25 years Shapes in White”

Last updated on 15.01.2018

The anniversary-gallery in the Ischgl Silvretta Arena is now open: At the 25th snow sculpture competition “Shapes in White” from 8 to 12 January, nine international artist couples created artworks showcasing themes from the last 24 years. First place went to Ralf Rosa and Peter Fechtig from Germany, for their “One Night Smurf” illustrating the theme of “Comic book heroes” from the year 2000. Winter sports enthusiasts can now admire sculptures until first May 2018 in the open-air gallery of the Silvretta Arena pistes.

Comic book heroes, everyday objects or stars in Ischgl – this year there were (almost) no restrictions on artists when choosing their theme. For the 25th anniversary of the snow sculpture competition “Shapes in White” from 8 to 12 January, the artists from Germany, Switzerland and Italy revived the themes from the last 24 years.
The result is impressive and features sculptures such as “Helene Fischer 2018” on the theme “Stars in Ischgl” (2003), “Robert the Clown” on the feeling “Circus” (2016), “Captain Jack Sparrow” on the theme “Hollywood” (2007) as well as “Vicky the Viking” on the theme “Vicky” (2010) to showcase a Best-of from the entire period. This year, the nine snow figures came to life in just five days, using a total of 50 tons of snow. The jury elected the winner at the victory ceremony on 12 January. The winning sculpture is called “One Night Smurf” and was created on the theme of “Comic book heroes” (2000) by the team of Ralf Rosa and Peter Fechtig from Germany. Ischgl-guests can admire the icy artworks along the pistes until 1 May 2018, as reliable snow conditions are guaranteed until then in the Silvretta Arena. A map with explanations about and the locations of the “Shapes in White” is available free of charge from the Tourism Association Paznaun – Ischgl. All details on www.ischgl.com.

Best-of: 25 years “Shapes in White”
Now it’s official: The winning sculpture from 25 years of “Shapes in White” is “One Night Smurf”. The choice was not easy: the jury was impressed with all new portrayals of the themes, and when the artworks of snow, some up to 10 m high, were completed, examined each of them carefully. The artist couple of Ralf Rosa and Peter Fechtig from Germany impressed the judges the most with their “One Night Smurf” and were awarded first prize. In the head-to-head race for second place, the figure “Espresso Italiano” by the team Stefano Begher and Vladimiro Tessaro from Italy edged out the sculpture “Helene Fischer 2018” by the team Ivo Piazza and Reiner Kasslatter, also from Italy.

From too much snow to “Shapes in White”
In January 2018, the invited artists showcase their ice-cold performances in the Silvretta Arena for the 25th time already. The idea for the event was born in the 1994: In order to get rid of the abundance of snow, the Tourism Association Paznaun – Ischgl invited international artists for the first time to build artworks from snow. The motto of the inaugural event – “Everyday objects” (1994) – was revisited this year once again by the Italian team of Vladimiro Tessaro and Stefano Begher who built “Espresso Italiano” from snow. Thanks to the location at mainly 2,000 m above sea level and sites right on and by the pistes, skiers can take in the sculptures until 1 May. The event will take place again next year. There are already ideas for further creative mottos.

Further information on www.ischgl.com.