How A Master Ice Sculptor Makes Ice Come Alive

Shintaro Okamoto has been carving ice for over 25 years. Go behind the scenes as he carves beautiful designs out of giant blocks of ice in below-freezing temperatures. It's brutal, exhausting, but ultimately beautiful.
Okamoto Studio: www.okamotostudionyc.com/
Instagram: @okamotostudio
About To Eat
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[@stefumli]

Alvin makes the most heartwarming content. It really makes you appreciate all the things we’ve been taking for granted not just in terms of food making but as well as the story behind the people involved in the whole process.

[@kaaleenjoseph1776]

YES!!!

[@trinburton7120]

Camera work that’s stunning PLUS accurate captions? I’m in LOVE.

[@LaziBoii613]

You can thank Alvin for that!

[@aroundtheworldinaprildays]

The fact that ice sculptors were able to carve all those details so vividly without having felt the material they were working with (they wore thick gloves) is a manifestation of their great mastery and skill. And the skill that went into producing this content is also great, as expected of Alvin.

[@Plantasea]

Most people only use their hands to “see” when their eyes don’t work.

[@theprimest]

I don't know what's this got to do with food but any video this channel makes I'm a fan of, who else agrees?

[@kates7277]

Ice sculptures are often on display at buffets...

[@thomasduon]

i like to eat ice

[@hasitdawnedonyou]

It’s not only used for display it’s also used to keep food around the ice sculpture cold. So yes it has to do with food

[@recoil53]

@@kates7277 One of the chefs at a place I worked did the ice sculptures for brunch.

[@hanminhao7510]

Ice IS food right?? Hahaha

[@darreldupit]

Next year it will be a video about Alvin and his dedication to his craft. Such a great video from beginning to end. Cinematography to editing to interview/story telling.

[@mynicknameisamber]

Alvin, i think you could take this to some festivals. I mean, I've said it before and I'll say it again, you're an awesome filmmaker. You have a way of showing us the love and care these people have for their craft with each frame. It's moving! And the music choice for this was peeeerfect, by the way. Oh, did you guys see Inga? :D

[@kaaleenjoseph1776]

I 100% agree. I need hbo to pick up Alvin or something! Lol I loved the Inga cameo too!

[@bxgnxte_7707]

Sometimes you forget that someone is actually there recording these videos, with the mesmerising talent and the music making its own atmosphere trapping you in.

[@yannah702]

i felt like something's missing then I saw Inga at 8:48 and i sighed in relief

[@dalinaa5386]

If u havent just go to her post u will see

[@dinahjbayan2526]

i like that alvin is both a mature elegant style but also possesses a slight chaotic energy

[@noac_]

you know when you sit on the bus and you look at other passengers and wonder where they come from, who they are and what their story is? I feel like this captures that. They're about normal people who have a love for something like everyone else and I always feel like I'm glimpsing into a part of someone's life with these videos, its really enjoyable tbh

[@Tokmurok]

God bless your father dude. May he rest in peace and make heaven many beautiful sculptures.

[@rimon2689]

The way Alvin captured the entire process and the passion and dedication of the sculptors is just so beautiful. You did a great job!! Also we loved the Inga cameo!

[@diporayinda3860]

this beautiful Alvin. i have literal chills. no pun intended. thank you so much for this.

[@user-st2hg1yf7n]

I mean they have to do that in a really short amount of time because it's ice and if it breaks it will take a long time to make another one because of the ice. He is a incredible guy

[@bhavinigourishetty1978]

Alvin’s videography is absolutely amaaaaaaaaaazing. He should honestly make documentaries. I would watch all of them

[@quaintleaf1208]

omg i am IN LOVE with this format/content! i love learning about the artists behind the artistry! thank you for sharing!!

[@sukritipandey9323]

The video in itself is such a delight. It's so peaceful and calming. And the fact that it brings to light the story of these incredible artists only makes it even better.

[@inoob26]

2:07 Okamoto: Whenever you are working with natural materials its humbling Also Okamoto: HULK SMASH ICE

[@RushatiMukherjee]

This was lovely, especially the tribute to his dad. It's amazing to think that the legacies we carry can inspire us to create such beauty 💗

[@angelicachiong1908]

Seeing people indulging in their passion always makes me so emotional.

[@supremo281]

What a piece of art.... Ice is just like life, it's with the days counted so we should enjoy while we have it.

[@amnionplasma]

I spot Inga in this video

[@dalinaa5386]

And aparently while they were filming this gravity was on her side......for once

[@onelittlebowl9602]

I knew inga is gonna show up in the video somewhere...imao

[@justin7964]

where does she show up?

[@onelittlebowl9602]

@@justin7964 8:48-8:57

[@thanwatownow]

yaa she's just such a cute & adorable human being

[@walkertn2316]

Are inga and Alvin a couple?

[@onelittlebowl9602]

@@walkertn2316 I hope so lol, but it seems they're just good friends and coworkers.

[@Arifinity_]

"but a thing isn't beautiful because it lasts" - Vision 2015

[@zorys9947]

I majored in sculpture in uni in a northern place. In winter, it will get -30c. Ice sculpture is part of the culture in that city. Although I have never worked on large ice sculptures myself, it is such a special memory to watch my teachers and classmates carving ice sculptures on the river. It was beautiful.

[@sadiatanjumanika7875]

We need more Alvin contents!

[@yosefnugraha9490]

So relaxing to watch Alvin's video

[@river14]

This was a surprise but a surprise I didn’t know I wanted

[@fogsmog9325]

Wish I could stand the cold longer to admire ice work for hours

[@armieayu7710]

It is weird but I almost crief toward the end Maybe it is the music, maybe it is the dedication, maybe it is the mention of his dead father Or maybe because Alvin managed to captured and made such a mesmerizing video to watch

[@maanski3]

Those ice sculptures are amazingly done.

[@spzaruba5089]

The great thing about working in ice is the speed at which people can work. The down side is how ephemeral the work is. But in the Buddhist sense of now you get to find beauty in the moment.

[@LivingMyLife22]

This video did a great job show casing the impressive work ice sculptors do, the intricate details, planning for every little thing, the mental and physical labor used on a project.

[@elwynbrooks]

goddamn why am i crying at a video about ice sculptures

[@ryutasuwa9757]

Its the quality of the video that we expect that draws us to watch it even if it doesnt have that much relation to food. We expect that this channel provides us that. And it has very well done exactly just that.

[@geezlouise420]

Alvin kills it againnn niceee

[@srilakshmi965]

Alvin please make more of these labor of love videos! I just love seeing these!

[@veronicadeevers3246]

I will look forward to more stories like this! So inspirational. Ice...the moral of the story is that nothing lasts forever, so cherish what you have in the moment. I pray your next video will have NO masks!

[@pratyasha798]

Alvinnnnnnn always feeds us well❤️

[@kaaleenjoseph1776]

I love these documentary type of videos Alvin makes. This was absolutely beautiful! More of these please!

[@eatsdelightful]

Meanwhile: I can't make a smooth snowball

[@wang6838]

This is beautifully captured Alvin! this moved me so much I actually started tearing up at the end

[@shreyags5271]

i love the camerawork in this!

[@dianne7059]

idk why but this whole video made me cry lmao

[@kaaleenjoseph1776]

I also got emotional while watching!

[@pr9166]

can't believe i'm crying over ice T____T this was so good alvin please pursue a career as a filmmaker

[@thechang5161]

Love the cinematography choices in this video.

[@dakshasuresh8188]

Yo! Thats looks so good And also alvin your voice has changed

[@AsianGM]

A single food... does a video on ice sculpting... IM ALL IN BABY

[@wpc456cpw]

Incredible camera work and editing Alvin. The story is told beautifully!!

[@lemmings6516]

i am absolutely mesmerized by his way of seeing ice. i feel so emotional and happy to be alive

[@janicetanumihardja808]

0:48 reminds me of frozen heart "beautiful! Powerful! Dangerous! Cold!"

[@shamikatapasvi8345]

The like to dislike ratio of this channel speaks a lot about the content they make.

[@SAmaryllis]

All of those sculptures looked amazing! Being able to handle heavy tools like that in the cold for so many hours takes so much stamina and willpower, wow

[@kathie1499]

WOW!!!! WHT BEAUTIFUL ART. It’s AMAZING WHAT YHESE ICE SCULPTURES DO. Simply BREATHTAKING!!!! Much ❤️

[@alaynazolot2440]

these videos literally bring a tear to my eye in the end. I love the passion and dedication. Thank you so much for this series

[@bonnieshao6498]

Those ice sculptures look absolutely stunning! Such an amazing art form

[@anaeugenialopez7174]

Wonderful!! From the artists to the camerawork! Amazing 👏

[@elishat122]

Stunning sculptures!!!

[@nixcess1358]

More videos like this please 🥺 the vibes were immaculate!!!

[@baconzandeggs1524]

Am i the only one crying here?:( i get goosebumps see how the dedicated they have to this💙

[@footprints667]

Loved this video! Such an amazing art form and his dedication and love of his art really comes through.

[@akirak3621]

Ugh, what an absolutely beautiful artform and beautiful video documenting its artist.

[@parmeiladhevi8602]

I've always admired ice sculptures but this is truly beautiful and so majestic.

[@colinchan1]

I’ve only ever seen the sculptors working with chainsaws and had never considered all of the work and planning around even getting the blocks of ice ready for that. Cool to see.

[@niveditaah5512]

Can't wait for more of these!! I love this channel

[@ashieb6605]

This video is absolutely amazing, makes you stop and think and I'm thankful I was able to watch this and learn so much. Thank you Alvin and Shintaro Okamoto for sharing this story!!

[@GadgetsGearCoffee]

When I see the shards flying everywhere I realize this is the least messy for clean up. It's not like wood dust or metal shards. It's ice that melts

[@4ng3l1n3]

Thx Alvin for yet another elegant video 👍😊

[@EE-zd6xh]

Excellent work Alvin! Loving both the information and style of this video. More please!

[@diyasarah1872]

Sculptures just like us incredibly detailed and melts away into sometimes sweet and sometimes bitter memories

[@Julie701000]

Absolutely incredible! Fantastic video.

[@inthesafezone]

I love everything about this even though it's not directly food related! It's so calming and relaxing to watch, and also inspiring too :) The shooting and editing is flawless!! Every video Alvin has created is truly a masterpiece 👍🏻

[@gyoumin03]

Wow... this is insane! Kudos to you all the okamotos!!!💪💛

[@NoahOfTheArc]

Those ice sculptures are incredible.

[@cousinsarenotoutside]

Why am i crying to an ice sculpting video, this was so well done!

[@louiselimpin3422]

Didnt expect an About To Eat video to make me cry.....

[@monicaangel8043]

I’m so intrigued! So happy to stumble into this video!

[@iframaryam3444]

That was sooo fascinating and cool... I'm speechless at how they worked so hard on something so dangerous.... That was amazing

[@juu-madlittleagent-925]

is this series called Labor of Love? bc it truly is one its beautiful and its my new favorite series! alvin continues to capture food and whats beautiful about it so well

[@camillarose3072]

This is the most beautiful video I've ever seen made about ice. Amazing production

[@namans8126]

I love this, ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS

[@quinnhen2325]

Alvin’s videos are amazing!

[@sumaraahmad5567]

Really beautiful work

[@kari-mariedowner9711]

This was so amazing to watch!!!!!

[@Alanna-ws6hw]

I love this channel. But honestly, this was the actual video that made me subscribe. Because it is criminal that something made with so much care and heart (both the sculptures and the videography) has so little views. Trying to share it, sub, liking...anything I can do to let more people find this and enjoy it. My favorite part: when he mentioned “at the end it’s about the memory of what it was” and how it tied into him talking about sharing memories of his father among his friends. So good. Time stamp: 09:07

[@CLB30ROX]

I've always wanted to know about ice sculpting. This is fascinating.

[@vesperpool]

This is so beautifully done, I love this!!

[@rhaegartargaryen9315]

I love this, youre an amazing filmmaker Alvin. You tell a story through your lens. Its just brilliant and calming.

[@umarfarooque7719]

In love your passion towards the icy sculptures 😊 Keep it up man...! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@hennaaaabanana]

alvin? the music choice? YES

[@itsbellebellebitchcosmetics]

I could watch ice sculpting all day

[@nootti6316]

I really like the style of these videos, no matter the subject.

[@WhosAlphaGG]

underrated video

[@sultanhusnoo8552]

8:52 thats Inga😂😂❤️

[@joyaljain7146]

The low view count for this video compared to others, show inability of people in general to appreciate skills others have. I truly wonder about the commitment that these men have for the wonderful work they do.Thank you @alvin for bring to us this video.....

[@leonauts]

And I really enjoy this video Alvin

[@Enterthehaven]

This is cool!:)

[@sjjvbbj]

I love this video😭

[@GeraldTheBookworm]

I love this! 💕

[@PrincessSerena91]

Wow that dragon sculpture looked amazing