What To Do With All That Snow?

by Rolf | Creative | 2972 Views

In memory of Larkin Mead, the University of Brattleboro Faculty got together on Sunday and created a giant Snow Monster at the NEYT parking lot.

As many may remember from their citizenship test when they moved to Brattleboro, Larkin Mead helped make Brattleboro and himself famous, by carving a life sized snow angel and setting it out for passersby. Larkin was later taken into sculptures studios where he learned much more about this art, and went on to become a famous artist. 

Our goal was to create nothing as artistic as Larkin’s snow angel,but instaed something much goofier.

First, we blackend some coconuts in our backyard, using old Christmas trees as fuel.

If you do this, please be very careful. Christmass trees can burn very hot and very quickly become dangerous. Stand back. The blackened coconuts make the best pupils, and pupils are essential for creating any recognizable face.

Then we descended on the snow pile, and created our tribute to Larkin Mead. 

Note that the creation of nostrils really adds a lot to a snow monster’s face.

Finally, we got atop the monster to celebrate. Take care not to slip down the slope of his face; he may open his maw and throw you down his gullet.

Sadly, shortly after he was made, he was buried under the falling snow of Monday’s storm. 

We have many more coconuts. We bought way too many. If anyone out there would like some so that they can make some more monsters to enliven downtown, let me know. I will get them to you.

Comments | 7

  • Submitted by cgrotke on February 3, 2015 at 6:34 am

    Snow, man

    The coconuts are an inspired choice. Good idea. When one makes these without the coconuts, the eyes sometimes lack definition at a distance.

    The recent snow is pretty light… maybe you can dust him off?

    I like his teeth…

    • Submitted by Rolf on February 4, 2015 at 5:07 am

      I fear that he is buried deep under that last storm

      We made him before that last big storm on Monday.

      I shudder to think what might happen if he was awakened by anyone who woke him up, digging down to get him unburied from all of that snow.

  • Submitted by Rolf on February 4, 2015 at 5:05 am

    Yes, the teeth really made a huge difference this year

    The collaboration is what made the giant special, and much more interesting to look at this year. One person thought to put on the eyebrows, and others carved the cheeks. And one of the kids was the person who realized that there were ice chunks that would make perfect jagged teeth. All together these details made for a much better monster. Maybe ten years from now we will reach a truly exalted level of snow sculpture. This was excellent and fun.

    Here however, is what happens if you go back and check on the monster, late at night, just to see if he is breathing okay, with those nostrils of his.

    It’s quite sad. At least it was relatively quick.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/88361661@N00/16252100817/

  • Submitted by Rolf on February 4, 2015 at 8:39 am

    Brattleboro is great

    Brattleboro is a great place to live.

    I hope you get to make a giant snow head, wherever you be.

    It occurred to me that even less detailed faces are capable of livening up town. It might be a good idea to time how long it really takes to knock off a face.

    If it only takes 5 minutes to make a rough but recognizable giant snow head, that would mean populating all of down town with snow goons might be easy to accomplish.

  • Submitted by Rolf on February 5, 2015 at 6:01 am

    A New Frost Giant

    Today, we might manage to make a new giant face somewhere downtown. Be on the lookout, and be careful. These frost giants get hungry. Feel free to improve his face, but don’t tarry to long near its face.

    Wouldn’t that make a good name for a band, “The New Frost Giants”. Maybe a little folk and a little part rock and roll?

  • Submitted by Rolf on February 5, 2015 at 4:04 pm

    He's lurking in a parking lot somewhere . . .

    I hope the new one lives longer than the last one.

    He was recognized as a head / face when he was spotted by a friendly passersby, shortly after he was completed.

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