2010 News and Information
Spectacular Ice Gate Unveiled in Richmond O Zone
11 February 2010Gordon Halloran’s massive and spectacular Ice Gate, presented by Inniskillin as one of the must-see attractions of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, has officially opened at the Richmond O Zone.
Ice Gate is a mammoth wall of painted ice, stretching 30 metres in length and nearly four metres in height. Inspired by a glacial wall in its final stages of movement towards the ocean, the painted ice will evolve over time as it melts and refreezes.
Ice Gate is a spectacular welcoming attraction to the O Zone, the City of Richmond’s official celebration site for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
“Richmond is so proud to be the home of Ice Gate” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “Gordon Halloran has created an amazing piece of art and an iconic welcome to the Richmond O Zone for the tens of thousands of people that will be visiting us throughout the Games.”
A Sunshine Coast artist, Halloran’s unique Paintings Below Zero have won him international acclaim. His works have drawn hundreds of thousands to special exhibitions in Toronto and Chicago. Halloran made his Olympic debut with his Paintings Below Zero installation as Canada's official representative at the Cultural Olympiad of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy.
“I am thrilled to be able to create artwork whose intention is to welcome the world to B.C. and to Richmond,” says Halloran. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to share the exciting possibilities of ice as a medium for making a kind of universal art. To have the opportunity to share this work with so many people is a honour.”
A refreshing complement to Ice Gate will be the Inniskillin Icewine Gallery. Immediately adjacent to Ice Gate, the Icewine Gallery will house two 36-foot tasting bars constructed to resemble ice, and a wintery VIP lounge area. Screens will play videos showing the magic of crafting Icewine, and samples of Inniskillin Icewine will be for sale: the Inniskillin Vidal Icewine Commemorative Edition from Niagara, the Inniskillin Vidal from Niagara and the Inniskillin Okanagan Riesling Icewine. Costs are $5 for a half-ounce sample, or $10 for 3 half-ounce tastes. Also available for sale in the Icewine Gallery will be a stunning poster of Halloran’s Ice Gate for $10.
Inniskillin’s sponsorship of Ice Gate is a perfect match to Inniskillin’s Commemorative Icewine. Released in 2008, this commemorative wine features Halloran’s unique artwork on the label. A portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold supports the Canadian Olympic team and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“Inniskillin is proud to support Richmond’s O Zone activities by presenting Ice Gate and our Icewine Gallery,” says Debi Pratt, Inniskillin’s winery public relations manager. “When our Inniskillin co-founder Donald Ziraldo met Gord Halloran at the Olympics in Turin, they discovered a strong connection. Both Inniskillin and Gord rely on ice for their craft,” she continues. “And that led to this unique collaboration.
The artwork on our Commemorative Icewine package reflects colourful ice crystals which are a close-up of the installation that Gord did in Turin. It is with great pleasure that we present this Icewine alongside his stunning Ice Gate for both Canadian and International visitors to enjoy while at the Olympics.”
A Canadian winery with worldwide acclaim, Inniskillin has consistently supported Canadian athletes. Prior to raising funds through the Commemorative Icewine, Inniskillin engaged in other activities to support athletes. As a Canadian Olympic Team 2004 sponsor, Inniskillin supported Canada’s quest for sporting excellence in two ways: first, by developing a Canadian Olympic Team Vine Planting Fundraiser and secondly, a customized Canadian Olympic Team Label line of specialty wines. As a Vincor Canada winery, Inniskillin Wines is thrilled to be on the world stage for Canada’s athletes in 2010, as an Official Supplier of Wines to the 2010 Winter Games.
The Richmond O Zone is located in the heart of Richmond City Centre at Richmond City Hall and in Minoru Park. Stretching over 60 acres, it is the largest official celebration site of the 2010 Games. The O Zone is open weekdays from 3 to 11 p.m. and noon to 11 p.m. weekends.
For more information on Gordon Halloran, please visit www.paintingsbelowzero.com. www.theicegate.blogspot.com is a photo blog which journals the making of Ice Gate.
For more information on Inniskillin Wines, please visit www.inniskillin.com.
For more information on the O Zone visit www.richmondozone.ca.
