From Olaf to Pietà: Snow Sculptures Created by a Blizzard

With the heavy snowfall heralding the start of winter, unique snow creations are appearing across the country, attracting attention. In particular, a snow sculpture created in the courtyard of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, has garnered significant interest. The museum posted a notice on its SNS seeking the creator of the piece.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art SNS

In a photo released by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art on the 28th, two snow sculptures are visible in the courtyard. One appears to be a meticulously crafted human face, while the other resembles Olaf, a popular character from the animation 'Frozen'. The museum stated, "We would like to gift the creator of this artwork with a museum catalog," and requested contact via DM.

Pietà Snowman

Furthermore, snow sculptures of artistic caliber are being discovered in other regions. A 'Pietà Snowman,' unveiled on an online community, has become particularly popular for its sophisticated artistry. This piece, modeled after Michelangelo's 'Pietà,' depicting the Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus taken down from the cross, transcends the typical snowman, evoking admiration as a true work of art.

Milo's Venus

In addition, a snow sculpture seemingly modeled after the 'Venus de Milo,' believed to be created overseas, is attracting attention online. The snow sculpture delicately recreates the characteristics of this classic statue, missing both arms, appearing remarkably lifelike.

Impromptu Art Created by Weather Conditions

The Korea Meteorological Administration announced that a mixture of snow and rain is currently falling, primarily in the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon inland, and Chungcheong inland regions. While the expected snowfall varies by region, some areas are expected to accumulate 5 to 10 centimeters of snow. These impromptu works of art, born from sudden heavy snowfall, provide citizens with unique sights, interpreted as a combination of nature's canvas and human creativity.

This winter, perhaps we can discover such creative snow creations around us. If you've personally built a snowman, it might be nice to capture it in a photo.

What is the Venus de Milo?

The 'Venus de Milo' is a marble statue depicting Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty. It is believed to have been created around the 2nd century BC. It was discovered in 1820 on the Greek island of Milos by farmer Yorgos Kentrotas and is currently housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. Although discovered missing both arms, this statue is considered a masterpiece of ancient sculptural art due to its ideal body proportions and elegant pose. In particular, the delicate expression of the upper body and the natural folds of the drapery covering the lower body well represent the characteristics of Hellenistic-era sculpture. The 'Venus de Milo' is now one of the Louvre Museum's most representative collections, beloved by visitors worldwide.

What is the Pietà?

Pietàis a marble sculpture created by Michelangelo, a leading artist of the Renaissance, between 1498 and 1499. This work depicts the Virgin Mary mourning while holding the body of Jesus taken down from the cross, expressing the sublime love and sorrow of Christianity.

The Pietà is one of Michelangelo's early works, highly regarded for its exquisite detail and the masterful use of marble. The serene face of the Virgin Mary and the flowing drapery are particularly moving to viewers.

This work is currently housed in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and is one of Michelangelo's masterpieces, attracting many visitors from around the world.