Arctic Vacation & the Artist Suites of the Icehotel

From: http://weburbanist.com/2010/02/17/

Many people choose to vacation on white sandy beaches and under hot tropical sunshine. Some people choose cold weather vacations for skiing. For something really different, a person might try a visit to a hotel built of ice and snow in a land of Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun. The ICEHOTEL is located 124 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the small village Jukkasjärvi that has only 1,000 inhabitants. There are 32 artist suites created, so you can choose to stay, to snuggle with your significant other, within the ICEHOTEL. Here is a look at some of those artists and artistic suites for a vacation unlike any other.

Ice Hotel

(image credit:PHOTO: Ben Nilsson/Big Ben Productions)

The ICEHOTEL never stands still, shifting from frozen solid to a free flowing river, and back, during a year. It begins as crystal clear ice harvested from the Torne River in March. Artists carve these 2 ton ice blocks into sculptures and a hotel. Created with imagination and hard work, the art is temporary, only to melt away under the unforgiving rays of the sun come springtime.

Ice Hotel’s Serving Cups & Projection Room

(image credit:PHOTO: Ben Nilsson/Big Ben Productions)

There are 32 different artist suites to choose from within the unique ICEHOTEL. There is also a famous Icebar as well as several other specific rooms like the projection room on the right. On the left are the famous “glasses” made from ice to hold the drinks served at the Icebar.

Ice Church

(image credit:PHOTO: Ben Nilsson/Big Ben Productions. ARTIST: Linnea Borealis)

Artists from all over the world gather in this small Swedish village north of the Arctic Circle to create an exclusive art exhibition: ICEHOTEL. This is the Ice Church. Couples marry here. The Netherlands artists responsible for the Ice Church are Marjolein Vonk, Cindy Berg, Marinus Vroom, Jan Willem van der Shoot, and Maarten Meijer.

Get Bad Suite

(image credit:PHOTO: Ben Nilsson/Big Ben Productions. ARTIST: Benny Ekman)

This art suite is called “Get Bad.” It is only one of many suites and is described as, “Sneak a peek into this enticing, magical spa, where relaxed bathers enjoy the fruits of each other’s company.” It was created by Benny Ekman of Sweden. “Get Bad” is his fourth ICEHOTEL suite.

Iceplosion Suite

(image credit:PHOTO: Ben Nilsson/Big Ben Productions. ARTISTS: Rashid Sagadeev & Charly Walter)

The radiant glow of “Iceplosion” will protect you from the biting arctic cold – bathe yourself and recharge in this rejuvenating shower of warmth and light. Sunglasses are highly recommended. The artists responsible are Rashid Sagadeev of Russia and Charly Walter of Austria. “Iceplosion” is Rashid’s fifth ICEHOTEL suite, Charley’s second.

Ho-Shi To Tsu-Ki Suite

(image credit:PHOTO: Ben Nilsson/Big Ben Productions. ARTIST: Sakai Hiroyoshi)

Leave the Earth behind and ascend into “Ho-Shi To Tsu-Ki,” a suite that pays humble tribute to the splendor of the stars and the majesty of the moon. This is the seventh ICEHOTEL suite created by Hiroyoshi Sakai of Japan.

Dynamic Shelter Suite

(image credit:PHOTO: Ben Nilsson/Big Ben Productions. ARTISTS: Javier Opazo & José Vazquez Toro)

Inhale as you experience the expansive nature of “Dynamic Shelter” and exhale as the focus of the room narrows and draws you to a bed of clarity and warmth. This is the first ICEHOTEL suite for both Chilean artists Javier Opazo and José Vázquez Toro.

Memories of Paradise Suite

(image credit:PHOTO: Ben Nilsson/Big Ben Productions. ARTISTS: Natalia Chistyakova & Karlis Ile)

Experience a chilly version of one of mankind’s most celebrated themes in “Memories of Paradise,” where the ice apples are plenty and ripe for the picking. “Memories of Paradise” is the first ICEHOTEL suite for both artists, Natalia Chistyakova of Russian and Karlis Ile of Latvia

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Peeled Suite

(image credit:PHOTO: Ben Nilsson/Big Ben Productions. ARTISTS: Charlotte Koster & Michiel van der Boom)

This is the “Peeled Suite” which was created by Charlotte Koster and Michiel van der Boom, both from the Netherlands. Simple, smooth shapes of peeled snow reveal ice that radiates light into the room, casting nuances of brightness across cleanly sculpted surfaces.

Chasing Penguins Suite

(image credit:PHOTO: Ben Nilsson/Big Ben Productions. ARTIST: Mark Armstrong)

This suite is “Chasing Penguins.” As we chase a life of ease – Does every one of us have all we need? Ice of blue and ocean clean – Chase that penguin, submarine. It was created by Mark Armstrong from England. Armstrong has been working with ICEHOTEL for over ten years. He also has contributed to the construction and design of Icebars that are springing up in several locations worldwide.

Queen of Ice Suite

(image credit:PHOTO: Ben Nilsson/Big Ben Productions. ARTISTS: Leo Park & Finn Öhlund)

“The Queen of Ice” surrounds herself with magnificent winter luxury in a palace that captures the beauty of winter. You are respectfully invited to join her. It was created by Natsuki Munakata and Shingo Saito of Japan. “The Queen of Ice” is the fourth ICEHOTEL suite that the dynamic duo has created together.

Here There Suite

(image credit:PHOTO: Ben Nilsson/Big Ben Productions. ARTISTS: Natsuki Munakata & Shingo Saito)

This artist suite is called “Here There.” Inside there is outside here and outside there is inside here. It’s only a night of deep sleep that can put the there and the here in the now. It is the second ICEHOTEL suite designed by Leo Park and Finn Öhlund of Sweden.

Amazing photos of polar bears- the most endangered animals

By Mail Foreign Service

A formidable hunter and powerful swimmer, the polar bear is perfectly adapted to the harsh demands of the wild Arctic landscape.

And these extraordinary pictures give a more intimate portrait of its life than ever before.

Whether diving under water, rolling in the ice alongside a cub or moving in for a breathtaking close-up, these images capture its raw beauty and amazing grace.

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Deep sea diver: Steven John Kazlowski spent five years photographing polar bears in the Arctic for his new book

The photographs were taken by Steven John Kazlowski, 39, who has spent the last 16 years travelling to the Arctic to take pictures of the amazing wildlife in the region.

His new book 'The Last Polar Bear' features images taken over the last five years which he hopes will highlight the animal' plight.

Global warming is weakening the ice in the Arctic and shortening the season during which it is close enough to shore for bears to move easily between floes and the shore.

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Up close and personal: One bear gets a little to close for comfort (above) while another plays on the ice with a young cub (below)

Many bears find themselves stranded either on land, where adequate prey is difficult to find, or on ice miles out at sea.

'The polar bears' plight is a wake-up call,' Mr Kazlowski said.

'The changes in the Arctic are just the start of the global climate changes we will see, and it's not too late for us to make some smart choices. Enlarge

An adult bear frolics on the ice with a cub (above) while another is stalked by an Arctic fox (below)

'My hopes are that people will understand that there is an environment as amazing as the one great buffalo herds once roamed across North America, and that it's changing extremely rapidly because of the way we have chose to live as a society, and that we are all connected.

'The intelligence and social abilities of polar bears are quite something.

Photographer Steven J. Kazlowski who has spent the last 16 years travelling to the Arctic

'I have watched polar bears break holes in ice to thaw out frozen meat. They can wait for days at a seal hole without moving, which puts them in my mind to be a more zen-like animal.

'Compiling this book has pushed me in many new directions in the Alaskan Arctic, and has been a very difficult yet wonderful existence.

'It is not only the story of the polar bear but this amazing environment found off the coast of Alaska, along 800 miles from east to west above the Continental shelf.

'It hosts a rich web of life - animals and people included.'

Mr Kazlowski splits his year between Washington, Seattle and the Arctic and has now embarked on a lecture tour to publicise the threats facing the polar bear.

Many biologists and climatologists believe that by the end of the century, the creature could be the first to disappear altogether from the Arctic.