Eco-activist and inventor Marc Asperas will build a 10-foot snowman in Times Square to raise awareness of global warming on Aug. 25. The event will be featured at this year's ECOFEST, a festival that educates people on how the greenhouse effect is warming the earth. Asperas's snowman will be located at 46th and Broadway.
"Building giant snowmen is my passion and this year I decided to direct this passion toward raising awareness of the effects of global warming," says Asperas. "ECOFEST is an outstanding grass-roots organization and their festival helps educate people about environmental protection and climate change."
Asperas builds giant snowmen - and women - in diverse locations around the globe, typically in summertime. "I love to surprise people and make them think, but really my biggest goal is to make them laugh," he explains. "I'm hoping that the absurdity of building a snowman in New York City in the summer will help underscore the global warming issue in a fun way."
This year, Asperas's snowman exhibit will portray environmental purity through a Native American theme: the snowman will wear a giant native headdress and peace pipe. Asperas will be accompanied by his sister, Native Heart, who will play authentic Native American flute music and tell traditional children's stories. Early morning visitors will be invited to participate in building the snowman. Asperas will start at 7 a.m. and expects to finish around 9 a.m.
Asperas has built many snowman variations in the past, including a World War I Flying Ace Snoopy complete with World War I pilot helmet and 30-foot scarf; a Bob Marley snowman with a Rasta mushroom hat and dreadlocks; and an Anderson Cooper snowman with a giant wig and custom glasses - during a live broadcast with Anderson Cooper.
"We have all heard about the green house effect, global warming, and climate change," says Asperas. "These words buzz around in our minds, but many of us don't really understand what's happening and how it impacts us. I think we should ask each other, what are we really doing about it on a personal level? I think my snowman ECOFEST will lend to the discussion."
ECOFEST is a cultural and educational environmental festival, free to the public, which is organized and produced by the West Side Cultural Center in New York. Over 25 years, ECOFEST has developed an unequaled base of public and private sector support and is a mainstay on the New York City calendar of events, bringing thousands of people to the historic New York locations including Central Park, Lincoln Center, the Intrepid Air, Sea and Space Museum, the Solar 1 Space on the East River, and now, Times Square.
Key Words: ECOFEST, environment, global warming, climate change, greenhouse effect, Mark Asperas, snowman, artist.