# Using Ice Sculptures as Social Commentary Melting Economy By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2008-10-31 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/melting-economy-ice-sculpture References: [neatorama](http://www.neatorama.com/2008/10/30/melting-economy-ice-sculpture/) & [nypost](http://www.nypost.com/seven/10302008/news/regionalnews/a_melting_economy_135909.htm) Marshall Reese and Nora Ligorano commemorated the anniversary of Black Friday and the financial crisis by sculpting the word "economy" out of 1500 pounds of ice. The [ice sculpture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sabine-marcelis-1), which is located in front of the [Supreme Court](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/patchwork-leather-jacket) in downtown Manhattan, is a clever way to express social criticism. As the sculpture melts, it provides an artistic representation of our falling--or melting, if you will--economy. In case you missed that day in history class, Black Friday was the dismal day 79 years ago that led up to the Great Depression. The infamous day-after-Thanksgiving shopapalooza that is also known as Black Friday isn't until next month. Image Credit: [BHowdy](http://www.flickr.com/photos/15056253@N00/2986177197/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 37% | Activity: 86% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Ice Sculpture Protests:** Using melting ice sculptures as a form of social commentary presents a unique opportunity for activists to make their voices heard and draw attention to important issues. - **Artistic Endurance:** Through their melting nature, ice sculptures offer a novel and captivating way to engage audiences and depict themes of change, endurance, and transformation. - **Melting Moments:** The fleeting nature of melting ice sculptures can be used to create captivating and memorable experiences that can be difficult to replicate through other mediums. ### Where This Applies - **Activism:** Melting ice sculptures offer innovative and eye-catching tools for activists looking to make a statement and bring attention to important social issues. - **Art and Design:** Ice sculptures provide an engaging and visually impactful medium for artists and designers to explore themes of impermanence, transformation, and the natural world. - **Event Planning:** From weddings to corporate events, ice sculptures offer a unique and impressive decorative touch that can leave a lasting impression on guests. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Satirical Popsicle Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eat-the-rich-popsicles.md) - [Anti-Black Friday Chocolate Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fatso-black-friday-campaign.md) - [Ice Cube Necklaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ice-cube-necklace.md) - [Broken-Aesthetic Sculpture Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brokenaesthetic-sculpture-collection.md) - [Billionaire-Shaped Ice Pops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mschf-eat-the-rich.md) - [Interactive Marine Ecosystem Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marine-ecosystem-sculptures.md) - [Eroding Sculpture NFTs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eroding-and-reforming-digital-car.md) - [Sea Level-Measuring Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/totemy-series.md) - [Endangered Ice Cream Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/save-the-flavors.md)