SANDLAND (Antalya Sand Sculpture Festival ) is one of the premier sand sculpture events in the world where hundreds of giant sand sculptures are exhibited thanks to its characteristics such as area, number of participating artists and amount of sand used. The event sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, Antalya Governorship, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and Turkish Airlines, is organized by Global Design Art Works.
Every year, sand artists from around the world flock to Antalya, Turkey to show off their sculpting skills at the International Sand Sculpture Festival. The result: 10,000 tons of sand-turned-breathtaking sculptures. Following some sort of loose theme (think: Hollywood) the sculptures fill Antalya‘s Lara Beach with more than four miles of temporary faces, characters, objects, and scenes carved into the landscape.
Thanks to the area’s mild weather, the sculptures remain intact for an average of eight months. Visitors can also learn about the various sculpting techniques from the artists on-site or through a documentary that’s shown on the grounds at night. Speaking of nighttime entertainment, the sculptures are lit up once dusk hits making the scene a sight not to be missed. The creations ahead are made only of water and sand, although we hear the type of sand is key to a successful sculpture—so much so that some artists bring their own special varieties with them.
The art of sand sculpting is a special kind of ephemeral (temporary) art which has steadily been gaining worldwide popularity in recent years. Only sand and water are used in sand sculpting activities which are included within the scope of alternative arts. Sand Sculptors perform their work in solo or teams of 2-3 people, taking into consideration the dimensions of the sculpture being created.
The outcome is that magnificent works are created which are hundreds of tons in weight and measure many meters in height and length, simply using water and sand. The art of sand sculpture adopts the philosophy that nothing is permanent and everything will disappear one day. Therefore, these unique pieces of works, which amaze the viewers, will be demolished and removed altogether after a short period of exhibition.
The exquisite pieces of work created as a result of the almost 3 weeks’ labor of the professional sand sculptors participating from a great number of countries worldwide using about 10 thousand tons of river sand on an area of 10 thousand square meters on the world- famous Lara coastal band in Antalya, are open to visitors every day. The world’s first and only 12-month open Antalya Sand Sculpture Museum can be visited every day between 09.30-23.00 hours from May 1 through November 1 and between 09.00-19.00 hours from November 1 through May 1 The event, which has become a tradition now, stands out as one of the most important cultural and artistic events in Antalya, Turkey in terms of its increasing number of visitors and the rising popular interest every year.
With more than 150 statues, the event is an unforgettable experience for visitors both day and night. This unique activity, which reflects the most natural, most spectacular and most entertaining aspect of art, is held around a different theme every year. The exhibition is also home to many interesting activities and organizations.
On the activity ground appealing to everyone, young and old alike, young visitors can take part in the workshop program organized using kinetic sand in the specifically designed Magic Sand Castle. In addition to the children’s playground, the ATV safari, water sports and similar other activities offer visitors the opportunity to spend a memorable day.
Huge sculptures illuminated with LED lighting system as used for the first time in the world in such kind of an activity transform the venue into a virtually fabulous atmosphere along with the music broadcast to suit the theme. For those who are interested, there is a cinematographic demonstration in the exhibition area showing the stages of making of the sculptures.
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