sonja hinrichsen spirals snow drawings in the colorado landscape

sonja hinrichsen spirals snow drawings in the colorado landscape
all images courtesy of sonja-hinrichsen

over the past winters, artist sonja hinrichsen has realized a series of ‘snow drawings’ throughout the mountainous, alpine setting of colorado. large design systems are illustrated into the surface of the snow, acting as a canvas that both corresponds to and accentuates the landscape.

most recently, hinrichsen has installed ‘we are the water’ at the conclusion of a 3-day seminar regarding water issues of the larger colorado river system — particularly the yampa river in the northwestern region of the state. with approximately 50 volunteers, the artist and her team created an artistic rendering of the water drainage system of the routt county yampa river segment on a frozen reservoir lake. the snowshoe performers indicated the 4 main tributaries, and followed the same pathway as the course of the former river. ‘although flowing as one body of water, each performer — like an individual drop of water — was asked to take into consideration how water moves, how it can be fast or slow, take a straight course or meander, bump up against rocks, whirl around obstacles, linger in puddles or race down rapids’ hinrichsen describes. finally, the piece was photographed from the air the morning after the performance took place.

‘we are the water’ traces the site of the water drainage system of the routt county yampa river segment

with more than 50 volunteers, the artist and her team created an artistic rendering of the river flow

snowshoe performers indicated the 4 main tributaries of the river

huge spirals and lines are drawn into the surface of the snow

the piece was photographed from the air the morning after the performance took place

snow drawings completed at catamount lake in colorado were created with over 60 volunteers, who helped hinrichsen walk in giant spiral patterns while wearing snowshoes. despite the deep, heavy snow that made walking difficult and strenuous, the team managed to create a mesmerizing, mammoth land art piece on the surface of the frozen snow-covered lake. ‘I was greatly impressed by the piece that revealed itself when I flew over the lake the next morning to take photos.’ describes hinrichsen.

‘snow drawings at catamount lake’

huge spirals take shape around the snow-covered village

the landscape is transformed into an illustrative art piece

designs have been inscribed into the surface of the snow

a team of volunteers helped the artist walk in circular lines around the landscape

from above, tight circles can be seen in their realized form

the use of snowshoes brought about a unique texture on the ground

‘snow drawings at rabbit ears pass’ comprise two, monumental snow drawing pieces on a mountain pass in colorado. the large-scale drawings could only be truly seen in their entirety from the air – and only for a few days.

‘snow drawings at rabbit ears pass’ comprise two, monumental snow drawing pieces on a mountain pass in colorado