Simon Beck : Les Arcs Snow Artist
Inspiring Creativity in the Mountains
What are the first things that come to mind when you think about Les Arcs? Undoubtedly mountains, skiing, tartiflette and apres ski will be right up there on your list, but what about art? And in particular snow art? If you've never heard of snow art or Simon Beck then prepared to be amazed in a life changing, jaw dropping, disbelieving and wide eyed kind of way. This guy and what he is creating in the snow are quickly becoming legend around these parts. Word of Simon's snow art creations in Les Arcs has been spreading across the globe - so much so that he currently has over 33,000 followers on his Facebook page! [*update now 176,000+ fans as of December 2013!]
We were lucky enough to grab a few words with the man himself and find out a bit more about him, his art and what his plans are for the future....
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been a snow artist....
In 2004 I bought an apartment in Arc2000 with the intention of spending the winter skiing and returning to the UK in the summer months for mapmaking. Soon I made a few snow drawings on the little lake outside the building where I live and in 2009 I decided to take the snow art seriously and build up a collection of photos.It really just started as a bit of fun.
How long does it take to create a piece and do you do all the work yourself?
For an area the size of a soccer field, the process takes an average of 3 hours. Most of the sites are between 2 and 3 soccer fields in area so it can take between 6-9 hours of work!
How do you plot out a design when you are outside?
Similar to the way it is drawn on paper using an orienteering compass.
Is the process of creating snow art on ice safe?
At present the ice is nearly half a meter thick and usually it is cold enough up here not to be a problem.
What conditions are most conducive to a good creation?
9 inches of soft snow on a firm base, sunshine and no wind.
Have you travelled elsewhere to create snow art?
Never - it's all been done here in Les Arcs.
Do you know if there is anyone else doing something similar in the world?
I have not found any evidence of anyone doing anything similar when I've looked on the Internet.
Best and worst parts of the entire experience?
Best it when it gets lit up by the piste machines after working at night for several hours and not seeing a great deal. The worst is getting changed into one's ski gear to get home at the end of the session!
If someone wanted to do this themselves, what would they have to do?
Get reasonably proficient at orienteering, then have a go at an easy drawing. The Sierpinski triangle is the best to start with and ideal for a team effort.
What do the locals of Les Arcs think of your art?
They love it!
Have you managed to make it a commercial venture or is it more of a hobby?
At the time of answering this question there are high hopes of significan payment.....fingers crossed!
What are your goals for the future as far as your snow art is concerned?
I would like to spend all the money I get from selling photos on better equipment for taking photos and organising expeditions to the best sites for even better art. In particular I would like to do this in Arctic Norway in the light of the Aurora.
Many thanks to Simon for taking the time to answer our questions, we're off to get a compass.....
For more information on Simon, follow his Facebook page and be sure to check in regularly with our Leading Locals section as we create more profiles on the key players in the Paradiski.
