Detroit Keeps it Cool with Life-Size Ice Cars in Campus Martius Park

Annah MacKenzie
Jan 13, 2016
Dec 14, 2017

What weighs four-and-a half-tons, is crystal clear, and is “parked” along Detroit's historic Campus Martius Park?

A life-size Lamborghini carved entirely out of ice!

CARved-20160107-041
Image courtesy of Woodward Original

CARved is an outdoor showcase of seven stunning ice sculptures, inspired by iconic 1970s-era automobiles, which will be on display throughout the Campus Martius area during the month of January. The collection is part of the 12th Annual Quicken Loans Season of Winter Magic – a jam-packed series of events and programs that includes The Rink at Campus Martius Park. The ever-evolving story of this park's transformation has been dear to our hearts at PPS ever since we worked to get it off the ground in 2004 (we'd been working with the city since 1999). The park has since become a beloved gathering place and the downtown centerpiece of Detroit, and The Rink saw record-breaking attendance this holiday season!

CARved-20160107-003
Like this life-size replica of a 1957 Chevy Nomad, each ice sculpture was the creation of Ice Creations, a family-owned Ohio company of internationally-renowned sculptors | Image by Woodward Original

A spectacular feat of design and artistry, the CARved Ice Car Collection represents Detroit’s proud history of automotive innovation and design. Along with the 1969 Lamborguini Miura, the makes and models on display include a 1957 Chevy Nomad, a 1961 Chrysler 300G, a 1966 Ford Mustang, as well as three 2017 “concept cars” – a Lamborghini Aventador, an Audi R8, and a Bugatti Chiron.

"Just as Detroit is on the cutting edge of car manufacturing, innovative civic experiences continue to be created to draw people downtown," said Robert Gregory, president of Detroit 300 Conservancy. "CARved is one of those not-to-be-missed features that will motivate people to visit for its unique offerings."

In preparation for the official opening of CARved this past weekend, the massive ice blocks (a single sculpture is comprised of 60-70 blocks, each measuring 20 by 40 inches) arrived in Motor City on Wednesday, January 6, artists immediately got to work hacking, sculpting, and detailing their glacial creations. The display will coincide with the 2016 North American International Auto Show, which will draw hundreds of thousands of people to the area.

Adding to the installation’s interactive component, three of the sculptures invite people to hop inside for a “test drive,” while all seven have embedded lights that make for an ethereal nighttime experience | Photo courtesy of Woodward Original
Adding to the installation’s interactive component, three of the sculptures invite people to hop inside for a “test drive,” while all seven have embedded lights that make for an ethereal nighttime experience | Image by Woodward Original

One of our favorite success stories, Campus Martius Park was a legacy gift to the city from the Detroit 300 Conservancy. Since its establishment in 2004, the park has gained international recognition; it has since become a well-loved destination for Motor City residents, and it has helped catalyze Downtown Detroit’s transformation with over $1 Billion of new investment.

CARved is yet “another bold idea from a group that has a worldwide reputation for placemaking,” said PPS president Fred Kent. “The kinds of projects that they have helped launch throughout downtown Detroit have been visionary, and they show how strong partnerships and community involvement can go a long way in bringing life and energy to a city’s public spaces.”

Stay cool, Detroit! | Photo courtesy of Woodward Original
Image courtesy of Woodward Original

Stay cool, Detroit!

The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

Heading One

Heading Two

Heading Three

Heading Four

Heading Five
Heading Six

Body Text    Body Link

The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

Here is some highlighted text from the article.
Caption
Caption
Caption
Caption

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

  • Bulleted List Item 1 Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
  • Bulleted List Item 2 Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
  1. Ordered List Item 1
  2. Ordered List Item 2
Comments
Related Articles

Contact Us

Want to unlock the potential of public space in your community? Get in touch!