Fiddling While Rome Burns at Taos Ski Valley (Artist/Sculptor Tim Linhart builds ice orchestra)

For More Information Contact:
Chris Stagg, Bret Helenius or Adriana Blake
(505)776-2291 or tsv@skitaos.org


Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter in Greek Mythology, was abducted by Hades to be his wife in the lower world. It was said that Persephone could return to the earth�s surface as long as she had not eaten anything from the underworld. Just before Persephone was to return, Hades tricked her in to eating a pomegranate. Persephone swallowed six seeds, thus she had to spend six months in the underworld. In her fury, Demeter made earth dead and ugly for the six months that her daughter spent in the underworld. We know this time as winter. Taos Ski Valley has found a way to make what Demeter thought was ugly and dead come alive and sing.

Tim Linhart, local artist and sculptor, has taken on a most unique project. After years of painting murals and incredibly detailed artistry, he began sculpting ice. In the past he has sculpted unicorns, rams, dragons and more, each one better than the last. At times he will go into the middle of the wilderness and build a sculpture in a location where no one may come upon it and then just walk away.

So what makes the sculpture that Tim is doing at Taos Ski Valley any different than ones he has done before? He is not building animals, but a five piece orchestra. The orchestra that he creates will have two guitars, a church bass and two cellos. To make the sculptures, snow is melted in a camp stove until it is slush, then packed by hand to get a rough shape. Once the rough shape is formed, it is carved and shaped into an instrument. The pieces are finely detailed down to the strings, look and feel.

This sounds like a beautiful piece of artwork; but wait, there�s more. The ice instruments that Linhart is making will be played by musicians in February. The creation that has come from the purest element on earth will come to life and make beautiful music. The concerts are scheduled for February 17, 25; March 3 & 10 2001 just off the Bambi Trail at 1 PM at Taos Ski Valley. The event will benefit an organization to be named later.

Come join the Ice Man at Taos Ski Valley for an unforgettable experience. For more information on �Fiddling While Rome Burns at Taos Ski Valley� call (505)776-2291.