Ice Bear melts before Sydney’s eyes

The internationally renowned Ice Bear sculpture melted before Sydneysiders’ eyes last weekend to mark World Environment Day.

British Sculptor Mark Coreth and his team chipped away at a ten tonne block of ice to create the life sized bear, which melted outside Customs House to reveal a bronze impression of a polar bear’s skeleton.

Mr Coreth said Ice Bear was his way of sculpting the problem of climate change and the loss of the Arctic.

“The whole aspect of the loss of Arctic sea ice is told in Ice Bear,” he said. “Ice is such a fragile medium. It can be here today, gone tomorrow.”

Mr Coreth explained Ice Bear was not just a sculpture but a live performance too. He invited people to touch, hug and even lick the bear because “all that is part of the sculpture process.”

Those who touched the bear helped speed up the melting process, highlighting how humans have contributed to the problem of climate change.

“They’re touching the Arctic and touching the issue,” said Mr Coreth.

Hundreds of people flocked to Customs House Square over the weekend to get glimpse (and a feel) of Ice Bear.

“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” said father of two, Neil Weston.

Mr Weston, who took his kids to see Ice Bear, said: “It’s a great way of visualising the problem and getting a feel for the implications [of climate change].”

Ice Bear is an internationally renowned artwork and has exhibited around the world in cities like London, Toronto and Copenhagen.

But this is the first time Ice Bear has appeared in the Southern Hemisphere.

WWF Australia supported the event and was excited by Ice Bear’s message.

Acting Head of Climate Change for WWF, Kellie Caught, said: “It’s a timely reminder for people living in and around Sydney of the effects of climate change.”

Ms Caught said Australia had the right technologies and skill to combat climate change.“

“All we need is the incentive to make the change and that’s why we’re supporting the Ice Bear.”

City of Sydney Council also supported the event and contributed $10,000 worth of funding towards Ice Bear.

Lord Clover Moore MP said global warming was “one of the greatest challenges we all face…and it’s up to everyone to play their part.

“That’s why this artwork is so important. It’s a startling reminder of what is happening to our world,” said Ms Moore.

“We hope this sculpture…will inspire and challenge people to think about global warming and what practical action they can take.”