Icehotel opens application for the international design competition on its 35th anniversary

The application process is now open for creative individuals to participate in the creation of Icehotel 35 as part of this year's design competition. Icehotel is world-renowned for being a unique fusion of art and design in ice and snow, and every year, Icehotel is recreated in an entirely new form. Unique artworks that only exist once. The deadline for submitting the design contribution to Icehotel 35 is April 15, 2024.

Icehotel was founded in 1989, and in addition to being a unique hotel, it is also a living exhibition with art created from ice and snow. The hotel, rebuilt every year using ice from the Torne River, becomes an extraordinary combination of sculptures, art suites, main hall and a ceremonial hall.

Preparations for Icehotel's 35th anniversary have begun, and the application is now open for the annual design competition. Talented artists worldwide can create their own dream suites from organic materials that change according to the season.

The selected designs will be chosen on creativity, innovation, and feasibility – and, of course, on the experience provided to the guest. Participating artists can let innovation and creativity thrive, creating a memorable experience for visitors from around the world.

– Each ice block borrowed from the Torne River carries its own unique story. Icehotel is a vibrant space where our artists have the opportunity to create powerful ice art in a unique environment. I look forward to this year's innovative ideas for Icehotel 35, says Luca Roncoroni, Creative Director Icehotel.

The production of Icehotel is organized as an international project where selected artists gather in Jukkasjärvi to build original and magnificent suites. Icehotel represents an artistic achievement and a tribute to nature and the last untouched watercourse in Sweden, the Torne River. It is an opportunity for artists to create something extraordinary and for visitors to experience a unique artistic world crafted by the beauty of ice.

– We are so excited as we begin planning for Icehotel 35, this half-century celebration at 35 years old. We look forward to creative, exciting, and innovative proposals for art suites, and we can promise our guests several entirely new experiences during their visits next winter, says Marie Herrey, CEO Icehotel.

Icehotel is a unique art concept that over the years has been created by award-winning designers and artists such as Bernadotte & Kylberg, winners of several international design awards such as the prestigious Red Dot Award, the design duo Kauppi & Kauppi who has won countless awards worldwide for their furniture and their lighting, and French Nicolas Triboulot & Fernand Manzi who work daily with designing crystal vases in Paris. Icehotel has also had art suites designed by tomorrow's artists and ceramists, students from Leksands Folkhögskola. 

Application and deadline

While previous experience sculpting ice, snow or other materials is an advantage, Icehotel also welcomes applications from all creative disciplines. The selection of the winning entries is based on their concept, creativity, innovation, feasibility, and of course, on experience provided to visitors and guests. The Artists are responsible for completing their suites at Icehotel, but there is a support team that can assist them and a lighting team that develops a lighting plan in collaboration with the artists.

The application is open until Monday, 15 April 2024, and the winning concepts will be announced on Monday, 29 April 2024. For further information, contact: art@icehotel.com

Photo credits: Asaf Kliger | © ICEHOTEL www.icehotel.com