The City of Jesolo in Venice County Italy
~~ Proudly Presents ~~
CASTELLI DI MARE 2001

The 4th edition of an International Invitational
Master Sand Sculpture Exhibition and Competition.
June 1-25, 2001
GENERAL EVENT INFORMATION
(Click on images to see them in a larger format)

This year The City of Jesolo has stepped up considerably with the presentation of their benchmark Italian Sand Sculpting Festival known as Castelli Di Mare.  Jesolo was the first community in Italy to offer  the art of world class Master sand sculptors. It is simply something the city does for the visitors of this popular northern Italian destination. The city really has no outside sponsors, and they absorb all the cost of this event.  Jesolo is to be commended for offering the highest quality carvers and their art with little in return except the pleasure of presenting a unique entertainment to their "guests".
Thank you Jesolo!

CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO SEE IT BIGGER AND READ THE ADDITIONAL TEXT

WELCOME !
to 
CASTELLI DI MARE
FUN FOR THE 
ENTIRE FAMILY

For questions or comments contact: sandude@aol.com
  Sand Sculpture is a captivating medium. It is easy to consider that probably for as long as humanity has gathered near bodies of water, creative types and children of all ages have enjoyed playing in the wet sand. Due to the ephemeral quality of the medium, (it goes away generally sooner than later) no one knows for sure when advanced understanding and serious expressions of the art form came about. Though there is some discussion about the ancients as well as renaissance artisans utilizing sand for creative purposes, this author has found  no solid references in the written record from which to draw upon to confirm this. But, in the modern era, we can trace the roots of serious (professional) sand crafters back to about the late 1800's.
James Taylor and Philip McCord were two professional sand sculptors circa 1890-1910
The process of sand sculpting can at times have an almost hypnotic effect on the viewer.
Wilfred, Stacking wet sand. circa 2001

 Regardless of the history, Sand Sculpture is still magical. Both for artists to work in, and the general public to view. The City of Jesolo has been presenting  state of the art Sand Sculpture for both purposes since 1998. 
A sure way to stop foot traffic and get attention. Here the crowd is mesmerized by the art being created.
The camera catches the audience member looking at the artist, who is looking at the sand.
About the event
 Castelli Di Mare is the premier solo sand sculpture event in Italy. It was the first event of its kind in the entire country. when it was presented in the charter year 1998. Then, only four artists competed in the Masters class. There was also a family contest for amateurs, in which, the winners got a paid vacation for four to Euro Disney. in addition, there was one promotional sculpture created at what is now the traditional location for motorists on the way into the Lido area to see the 100 ton display at the Picci Roundabout.
Thousands of motorists each day pass this display. There is also a billboard with the relevant information here at the Picci Roundabout outside the Lido
Mateo Maglione. one of the family members that own the Hotel Corallo where event personnel stay while in Jesolo. Hotel info
 

  Here at Jesolo Lido, this is a very fun and family friendly event. This is a popular destination for tourists and travelers due to its close proximity to the center of Venice. It is only a 30 minute ferry ride to St. Marks Square.
 The competing Masters stay at the Hotel Corallo directly on the beach just a couple of blocks from the contest and exhibit site. To a person, the crew and personnel involved with CDM agree that the Hotel Corallo,  hosted by the Magleone family, with their warm and personable staff, is THE place to stay in Jesolo.
Today, CDM has grown to include: a larger Masters class;  kiddy contest; free workshops;  promotional sculptures around the area; a photographic exhibition of previous years sculptures; a record breaking exhibit display of sand sculpture (Italy's largest to date). The event continues to grow in scope. And next year (2002) we will offer related merchandising that has been asked for by the growing crowds visiting this event each year. (Postcards & posters, Tee shirts, souvenirs, etc.)
 The event is always in June (so far) and is generally culminated on the third weekend. The site is the same location each year. This location on the beach for CDM (between Piazza Brescia and Casa Bianca) has been specifically created by the city, primarily for this event. Although it is now also utilized for other events in season.  The site is lighted for evening display. There is security posted 24 hours a day during the festival.
For questions or comments contact: sandude@aol.com

The site  includes a pathway that makes it wheelchair     accessible
And baby stroller friendly!
 
We meet fun and interesting people wherever we go to sculpt sand. 
Here are two of the best.
Klaus und Steffi.
About the sand:
 We use the local Adriatic beach sand. It is fine, and good for sculpting. We spray a biodegradable (not waterproof) sealer  on the finished sculptures to resist wind erosion.

 
This is a family event. There were lots of babies here. -Even in some of the sculptures!
The crowds were big. Many visitors returned each day to see the progress.
For questions or comments contact: info@sultansofsand.com


Notes on the Masters Class competition:
A total of eight Master Class competitors.
Theme: Fairy Tales.
Prizes:
1st  $ 4,500.00
2nd $ 2,000.00
3rd $ 1,000.00
4th -8th $100.00
People's Choice Medal only
Sculptors choice- Medal only
Directors Choice- Medal only.		 The Competition Judging:
 For the jurried awards, (the Cash prizes) the judging is done by an outside panel of artists from different disciplines of art. This year, two are sculptors, two are painters (one currently exhibiting in the prestigious "Biennale", -an art show in Venice) and one is an art  curator. 
 The viewing public picks the peoples choice award. The sculptors themselves recognize their most popular favorite from amongst their peers for the Sculptors Choice award. And, the Director chooses his favorite from among the competitors for reasons that may or may not exclusively be based on the art. (congeniality for example may or may not be a factor). The official stance is that there is no distinction made by the organizers of this event as to the weight of any particular first place award over any of the others. Be it the decision of the Jury, the Peoples Choice, Sculptors Choice or the Directors Choice. First place in any category is the highest acclaim an artist can achieve here. If the competing artists or the general public sees it differently, that is up to the individual.
The decisions of the producer and director in all aspects related to this event are final.
East meets west. Damon Farmer of the USA, (left) engaging in "cultural relations" with Alexei Diakov of Russia.
"Ohhhh, -You've got a level!"
Mark Anderson of England (left) and Wilfred Stiljger of Holland exchange gadget chat

IF YOU ARE SELECTED TO ATTEND THIS EVENT AS A COMPETITOR  OR /EXHIBITOR:
You are required to sign an Artist Release Form granting the producers and director rights to use any of the images we (CDM staff) create of you, or your likeness,  and those of the work that you will create while in Jesolo, for any promotional, advertising or commercial purposes, without further compensation to the artist

For questions or comments contact: sandude@aol.com
Below is a scale rendering of what the Alice in Wondersand display format looked like after engineering the sand into the forms. That is, loaded in by tractors, made very wet with fire hoses, and packed solid with compacting machines. This is what one would see just before before the actual carving process began (elevated angle of view) The figure in the illustration is over six feet tall. 
 
The above rendering, and this years CDM event logo (right) were created by: DamonFarmer Grazie!

This years CDM Poster: Designed by Commune de Jesolo.

The castle on the poster was created by Rich Varano at a previous CDM event.
Ironically, though this years theme was fantasy (Fairy Tales) There were no castles created on site.
 
 













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Comments and inquiries to:     sandude@aol.com

CDM 2001 LINKS:
********
[Alice in Wondersand Exhibition]  [Masters competition]  [Workshops & Lessons]   [Children's Contest]  [On site CDM photo exhibition]  [Other CDM promotional Sculptures]
[General Event Information ]  [ 2001 Story/Photos About The Artists ]  [ CDM Archives of years past]  [Sultans of Sand Home ]
[CDM 2001 HOME PAGE]
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