The annual Ice Hotel built from actual snow and ice every year in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden has been open for a few weeks now. And every year, the design for the hotel as well as each of the rooms is different! Participating artists and designers come to sculpt and craft the suites into works of art that one can sleep in. This year's line up has some cosmic, lyrical concepts as well as some designs specifically related to the region and the Sámi people...
ART SUITE ÁHKU FÁHCAT
DESIGN ELISABETH KRISTENSEN
Áhku Fáhcat means "grandmother's mittens" in the Sámi language.
This art suite is made in honour and celebration of knitting, of the sami colours and craft, and of all the knitting mothers and grandmothers who have created these joyful patterns and mittens.
When entering the room the first thing you see is the Ákhu - the grandmother - sitting on a stone knitting. Inside the stone, is a mitten in the negative.
MAIN HALL QUASAR
DESIGN WOUTER BIEGELAAR & VIKTOR TSARSKI
A black hole, millions of lightyears away. Attracting everything around it. All that is drawn to it will emit light.
"Quasar" features a binding centrepiece tying all surrounding elements together to one place in time. Giving light so everything it attracts; the flow of the Torne River, the dancing aurora and infinite memories.
The Main Hall of ICEHOTEL 35 - Quasar - pays homage to the 35 years of ICEHOTEL, and everyone that have been involved with it over the years. Celebrating all the amazing work and time spent on his place. Friends, art and memories that still exists and will exist beyond our timeline and now, lightyears away.
ART SUITE ANTIQUE MYTHS
DESIGN IEMELIANENKO VIACHESLAV & BOGDAN KUTSEVYCH
The theme of the ancient greek heroes are more relevant than ever. The fight between good and evil, the search of light in the darkness. Following the right path The suite traces the line of ancient Greek myth.
There is Prometheus, giving light and protecting the people. And Atlas, supporting the firmament. Then there is Odysseus and the Minotaur. Throughout the room you can see motifs, fragments of ancient ceramics.
The ancient Greek themes continue to be relevant today as they provide foundational concepts and enduring inspirations across various domains of modern life.
CEREMONY HALL GAIA'S BLOOM
DESIGN LISA LINDQVIST & KATE MUNRO
"Gaia's Bloom" gives a glimpse of a frozen paradise, overflowing with a vibrancy of life and celebrating the ancient goddess Gaia.
The room is designed with a whole wall of opulent, oversized flowers in an otherwise simple room. Peonies, honeysuckle, roses, daffodils and bluebells all intertwine to create an abundant and opulent revelry of nature, joy and love.
The complex, delicate and decorative details are held in a strong symmetrical design, giving an overriding sense of balance, calm and simplicity. The forms are lit both from within and without, creating a multilayered spectacle of petals, leaves, shadows and light.
ART SUITE CHANGE THROUGH TIME
DESIGN ROB HARDING & TIMSAM HARDING
"Cutting into the pure beauty of a raw block of ice always felt a bit like cutting down a tree to create a sculpture, and we have always wondered how to avoid that feeling and to make something that honours them for what they are."
- Rob Harding & Timsam Harding
ART SUITE COME WARM UP
DESIGN ISABELLE GASSE & JOELLE GAGNON
"Come Warm Up" is an immersive experience, where you will be situated inside a black-capped chickadee's nest. Gigantic titmice will take care of you while you contemplate the majestic winter landscape through the windows.
This art suite has been inspired by the little birds that often go unnoticed; resourceful creatures that can resist the extreme northern cold, huddling and squeezing together in their nest. Just as humans would to survive the cold weather.
Here, you are transported into a raw experience, surrounded by the textures of nature and soothed by the gentle forest breeze and smell of burning wood.
The soundtrack playing in the room has been composed by Louis-Antoine Pelletier, from Quebec.
ART SUITE FLIGHT
DESIGN LAURA MARCOS & CORALIE QUINCEY
The elements of this art suite consists of two parts. The lower part where rigid parts dominate, and the more fluid upper part consisting of curves and birds.
The lower part is a reassuring construction, creating space for meditation with the bed as the central piece. The pillars that rise from it are, instead of closing into arches, transformed and released into the sky as birds.
The birds that soar towards the sky are symbols of solidarity as well as freedom.
The structure remains open at the top, as a burst of hope for the future.
ART SUITE GIVE US A KISS
DESIGN CARL WELLANDER & MALENA WELLANDER
What if nature puts on an act every time we step outside the door?
Maybe all the animals out there are just like you and me. They only want to live a decent life and enjoy the company of others.
In this art suite, you step into the vision of what happens in the Swedish woods when we are not there. "Give Us a Kiss" is a celebration of life, art, and above all love!
ART SUITE HIDEAWAY
DESIGN PIEKE BERGMANS & PETER DE WIT
"Hideaway" is made completely out of ice and snow. It is a natural, quiet and peaceful place. A cave, a shelter, a protected space where you can retreat.
Here, time and space meet. At first you see a white void, and then large stone-like shapes appear. Shapes that rest shoulder to shoulder, or balance on each other and find an equilibrium.
With so many things going on in the world, this is a place where one can come to a standstill and just be.
ART SUITE ICE KILN
DESIGN JAEYUAL LEE & DAEHO LEE
"ICE KILN" is an art suite inspired by the elegance of traditional Korean pottery kilns, especially the moon jar. The suite's design blends ancient craftsmanship with modern architecture, offering a unique blend of heritage and luxury.
Echoing the kiln's graceful contours, "ICE KILN" pays homage to the serene form and milky glaze of the moon jar. The suite invites guests to immerse themselves in the timeless beauty and cultural significance of Korean Pottery, celebrating the moon jar's legacy in a stunning winter display.
ART SUITE NÄCKEN
DESIGN TJÅSA GUSFORS & SAM GUSFORS
You are invited to a meeting with the magical underwater world of the Nixie.
The Nixie is an aquatic creature, living next to streams and dangerous bodies of water. He appears as a beautiful young man, and a certain sign of his presence are waterlilies. With his seductive violin-playing and supernatural force he can lure both children and young women down into the deep waters, singing and playing his magical songs.
Fall asleep in a bed surrounded by waterliles and parts of the Torne River. Let yourself be rocked to sleep by seductive music created by the artists of the suite.
ART SUITE YESTERDAY'S TOMORROW
DESIGN CORBAN WARRINGTON & DANIEL AFONSO
"Yesterday's Tomorrow" explores how our futures might have appeared, had we persisted in designing the world with the aestetics and principles of the Art Deco and Streamline Modern movements. These movements emerged during the machine age, blending the industrial practicality with elegance to create a sleek, sophisticated and efficient design aesthetic.
Emphasizing smooth curved lines and horizontal symmetry, they aimed for an aerodynamic and minimalist appearance in everything from cars and trains to buildings and home appliances.
Through this lens, "Yesterday's Tomorrow" offers a glimpse into what our world could look like if we had continued to embrace and apply the principles.
ART SUITE ZIG AND ZAG
DESIGN NICOLAS TRIBOULOT
"The shortest path is not always the most beautiful. I love the idea of meanders, curves and convolutions. Of seeking and facing challenges.
It's possible to get from point A to point B simply and quickly. But isn't it more exiting, interesting, richer in encounters and surprises to be guided by desire and chance.
ZIG and ZAG is the story of my life. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it. Sometimes easy, sometimes hard. It is strange, amusing, funny. Ups and downs. The parallel paths, hand in hand. A piece of life together for the better. For love, friendship and pleasure. To create, to help, to uplift each other.
Simply live your life in ZIG and ZAG."
- Nicolas Triboulot
You can visit the Ice Hotel until April...when it starts to melt!
https://www.icehotel.com/
