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Unfortunately I've inherited the collecting gene from my parents and it has a tendency to manifest itself in unusual ways. In my case it takes the form of 'Frozen Moments' sculptures. I stumbled across these collectables back in the mid-1980s when I saw one at a local knick-knack store in Crystal City, Virginia. Even though I was recently separated, had custody of a six month old son, and no disposable income, I was so taken with these acrylic resin sculptures that incorporated real life food artifacts into a three dimensional format that I ended up buying a 'milk-and-coffee' sculpture for about $20. I immediately put it in a place of honor in my home. It's now in my 'man cave' and remains one of my most treasured collectables, though some folks (including my beloved wife), find it to be exceedingly kitschy. On the other hand my six year loves it nearly as much as I do.
The Frozen Moments concept was the idea of Australian artist Geoffrey Rose. Rose came up with the concept while living in London, but didn't really pursue it until he returned home to Australia in the late 1970s and began selling 'food' sculptures to local art galleries as high end, one of a kind pieces. He then seems to have issued more affordable pieces for a brief time in the 1976 - 78 timeframe. In the mid-1980s fellow Australian entrepreneur Ivan Hull became interested in the concept feeling there could be a bigger market for the sculptures. He moved to Aspen, Colorado and opened Aspen Enterprises which began designing various pieces and then contracted manufacturing with the St. Petersburg, Florida-based Moments Too, Inc. Owned and operated by Grant Fashbaugh, Gary Wawrzaszek, and Pierce Power, Moments Too, Inc. also obtained East Coast distribution rights. As far as I can tell there were only about three dozen different Frozen Moments sculptures (I haven't seen them all). That said, there are multiple variations on particular themes - as an example you'll see different brands of beer being poured into a mug, or different soda cans being poured into a glass. Regardless, after getting off to a quick start, the public's interest peaked fairly early. By 1987 parent company Aspen Enterprises seems to have called it quits. Though thousands of sculptures were manufactured during the 1985 - 87 timeframe, the pieces aren't that easy to find and have again become somewhat collectable.
I stumbled across a mid-1980s article on Rose which I'm going to "borrow":
"Little did Geoffrey Rose know that his stint as starving artist would lead him to his bread and butter. Frozen Moments, his line of novelty sculptures, was hatched--by accident--during those salad days in his London apartment. ``The place was a hovel, actually, so cold and drafty that everything would freeze,`` says the Australian-born artist. ``I came home from a trip and found an overturned milk carton. The milk had frozen and formed a bridge on the table. It looked like a white icicle. It was weird.`` Thus was launched the idea of showing everyday things pouring, spilling, flowing, gushing. Today his collection of plastic delights includes a breaking egg poised over a bowl, a stream of milk flowing into a cup of black coffee, a can of foaming lager, a melting ice-cream cone, baked beans oozing out of a can. Three years ago Rose`s partner, Ivan Hall, introduced Frozen Moments into the States. The pair learned fast about cultural differences in humor: Aussies go for novelty items like the bowl of corn flakes and wet paint brushes; Americans are big on classics like beer, cake and spaghetti. The majority of the customers are women. Generating ideas for Frozen Moments is a six-person effort. ``Every few months we have a two-week think period,`` says Harold Leonard, manager of shipping and receiving. ``We sit around and throw ideas out, experiment with materials and make prototypes. ``Coming up with ideas isn`t hard. One of the artists came up with the pasta idea after ordering spaghetti and meatballs in a restaurant. The chocolate cake idea was basic, but the design came from a German torte my mother makes.' The challenge is coming up with just the right shades of color. Red is the hardest. For the spaghetti and strawberries, we mixed red, yellow and brown until we were blue in the face.`` Real corn flakes sprayed with varnish are used in the cereal bowl. The milk carton isn`t a fake either. It`s the genuine article from a dairy in Australia. That country also supplies the lager can and toothpaste. When Leonard reveals the ingredients in the chocolate cake, the temptation to lick the frosting lessens. ``The cake is sponge, coated with epoxy resin. The frosting is caulking.`` Frozen Moments are available at Arcadia at Carson, Pirie Scott & Co., State Street; some Art Explosion stores; Card and Gift Gallery, 205 W. Golf Rd., Schaumburg; and Mother`s Aid Gift Shop, 667 Vernon Ave., Glencoe. Prices start at $25."
Chicago Tribune May 11, 1986 by Margaret Sheridan
I was also lucky enough to cross electronic paths with Mr. Rose himself. He was kind enough to send me a brief note on his work:
"Thanks for your kind words ... they have been a joy to be part of, people are so responsive to them ... A bit of background ... to me they are zen sculptures, focusing on the instant of a banal everyday experience, and making that instant last forever. I also wanted to make a "futique", an antique of the future, and I think Frozen Moments are that! I am going into production of some other designs, and I will let you know when they are available."
Yours, Geoffrey Rose January, 2010
Equally cool, as of late 2011 Mr. Rose has apparently started manufacturing a new series of Frozen Moments sculptures and marketing them via eBay. Those listings include a link to the BadCat site. I've included pictures of some of the new pieces below.
One other comment - actually a warning. Original Frozen Moment sculptures had an identification tag affixed to the bottom (see above). Obviously the tags have a tendency to come off. That said, be careful in buying items without tags. There are lots of 'food sculptures' out there which are not Frozen Moments items.
So here's a partial list and photos for some of the Frozen Moments creations. The values shown are nothing more than estimates on my part, though I've started to capture eBay sales prices as a reference source. By the way, if you know of other Frozen Moments sculptures, or would like to share photos, drop me a line at:
Scott
Feedback: Amazing, but from time to time someone actually stumbles across my website and actually drops me a note.
We enjoyed your website on Frozen Moments. I have a few here, and we checked for the tags on the bottom. Here are some pictures for your site. We have decided to sell these 2, but we are wondering how to find the collectors. Do you know? Thanks, Karen Kline, February 2011
Thank you for your montage of frozen moment sculptures. It's driving me craztu, but did some actor "make these" in a major Hollywood comedy. Was it a Woody Allen film? Thanks Laurie Ship, August 2011
I used to buy these way back when in 1990, but can't fin them anymore. Do you know of an actual store I can walk into to purchase some. They made great table pieces and gifts. Thanks for your montage. Brought back great memories. Elkie, November 2011
I recently stumbled across your website and was very excited to find it. Like you, I purchased my two frozen moments sculptures from probably that same knick knack shop in Crystal City, VA when I worked there in the mid 80s. I have the Crown Royal bottle and glass, which you have a picture of under the heading of whiskey bottle, and attached I have included a picture of the Pepsi can, which is different than the one on your website. It is the most prized item in my Pepsi collection. Seeing your website has sent me on a new quest to find more of these wonderful items. eBay has been good to me lately in finding them. I wish I had purchased a couple of the ones when I saw them in CC such as the spaghetti plate, the plate of donuts with a bite out of one of them and the coffee with the cream pouring into it (these two were on display at the coffee shop across from the knick knack shop). Thank you for taking the time and effort to put this up on the web! Rhonda
Long, November 2011
Hi there,
I came across your
website whilst searching for this remarkable set of collectables I've
been searching for ever since I was about 7 or 8 years old. I'm
now 30 so my search has been going on for quite some time lol. I
live in the UK and first saw these when I lived in England at about 7 or
8 and wondered what an earth these amazing pieces of art were. I
wasn't lucky enough to buy one but ever since then I became fascinated
with wanting to know more. Unfortunately in those days, the
internet was not around so research was extremely hard to do. Having
now discovered what they are called, I am desperately trying to seek out
these pieces of art. Can you possibly tell me in this day and age
where it is possible, other than ebay, to buy the Frozen Moments
collection? Or do you have the contact details for Geoffrey Rose
the artist available so I can get in touch? I'm desperate to get
these collectables and am looking for any help possible.
Thanks and hope to
hear back soon
Suzie McGinney June
2013
I occasionally get questions on Frozen Moment sculptures. Guess I'll start showing those as well. Hi there,
Typically you would find
the sticker on the bottom of the plate. Not sure that the
artist did sushi items. I think you can see a picture of
the sticker on the website. You can also look at the pictures
and see if your item looks similar.
Hello Scott,
I am writing on
behalf of a patron of our Library who has been researching Frozen
Moments Sculptures as she has one from many years ago of a ketchup
bottle being poured over a hamburger on a plate, the plate has the
Frozen Moments sticker on the bottom. I have attached photos of
the sculpture, do you have a price estimate or any more
information about the piece?
Thank you! Your
website is very informative.
Attached are the
photos.
Thank you-
Meghan
- Reference March 2015
None of the FrozenMoments sculptures are all that valuable. They are curios more than art. That said, the ketchup one is fairly collectable and doesn't show up for sale all that often. If in good shape and with the sticker still on it I would guess $150 - $175. Best place to sell it would be eBay.
Hi I came across you site while researching this blueberry pie I got at an Estate sale. There is no tag on it but I see it does incorporate a spoon which I see in lots of the pieces you have. I am wondering if you think this is an original piece or a let copy. Any help would be appreciated and thanks in advance as well as now for your very informative site. I have been g ogling all types of things including pie sculpture, faux pie, plastic pie, and many others. Finally found a pic of the waffle and spoon that led to your site.
If you need more
pics please let me know.
Michael Magda March
2015
Without the Frozen Moment tag it's hard to know for sure. Based on the photo, it certainly looks like an original. The spoon and can motiffs look like something Geoffrey Rose would have done. When I get a little bit of free time I'll forward the picture to Rose and see if it is one of his original pieces. Even if it isn't an original Frozen Moment sculpture, it is a cool looking piece.
Updates: - 04 September 2010 - added a picture of the wine cooler sculpture - 04 September 2010 - added a picture of the Pepsi can sculpture - 06 September 2010 - added an improved picture of the chocolate sundae sculpture - 06 September 2010 - added a second picture of the broken eggs sculpture - 06 September 2010 - added a second picture of the orange juice sculpture - 12 September 2010 - added picture of Dr. Pepper can sculpture - 12 September 2010 - added picture of salad dressing bottle sculpture - 12 September 2010 - added picture of water faucet sculpture - 17 September 2010 - added picture of Nestea can sculpture - 17 September 2010 - added another beer and mug picture - 23 September 2010 - added 1986 Chicago Tribune article - 15 November 2010 - added better picture of the Crown Royal Whiskey sculpture - 21 January 2011 - added photo of hot dog sculpture - 21 January 2011 - added photo of CD case sculpture - 21 January 2011 - added photo of broccoli and Cheese Whiz sculpture - 25 January 2011 - added photo of chocolate cake - 25 January 2011 - added picture of the Frozen Moments emblem - 05 February 2011 - added picture of Budweiser can - 12 August 2011 - started to add recent eBay sales prices as a reference for potential buyers - 12 August 2011 - added picture of gin and tonic sculpture courtesy of Irene Noordzij - 28 August 2011 - added picture of white milk in a glass sculpture and another melted ices cream image - 04 November 2011 - added photo of Pepsi and glass (courtesy of Rhonda Long) - 11 December 2011 - added a slew of new photos and recent sales prices. - 03 April 2015 - added a photo of the Ketchup and Hamburger sculpture
Ketchup and hamburer sculpture: One of my favorites. Kind of an all American theme.
Recent eBay sales - none known
Aussie Pie sculpture: expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $56 sold December 2011
Sodas; there are a slew of variations using different types of glasses. I've seen A&W, Coke, Dr. Pepper, and Pepsi. expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $76 Diet Coke can sold December 2011
Beer and glass mug: again, there are various bottles and mugs; I've seen Bud, Coors, and Miller Lite expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $42 sold August 2011 (Bud in a glass
Overflowing beer can: This one's a little different and I believe it's one of the Geoffrey Rose original designs. expect to pay about $40 - $60 for one in good shape
Boiled egg expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $77 sold December 2011
Broccoli and Cheese Whiz: Not a fan of either item ... expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Caviar Can Spoon & Tray: Another one of the rarer offerings. expect to pay about $100 - $125 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $145.00 sold November 2011
CD case: As mentioned earlier, there are fakes out there and without the fag, it can be hard to identify them. I spotted this one on eBay and the seller indicated he'd bought it after being told it was a Frozen Moments sculpture. Just don't know ... expect to pay about $10 - $20 for one in good shape
Champagne and glass flute on silver tray: I didn't even know this one existed until I got an email from William Sprague.
I was looking
at my Frozen Moment Sculpture - it's a silver tray with a Chandon -
Blanc de Noirs bottle suspended over a champagne flute, and noticed the
champagne is yellowing. So, I decided to look on line for a
replacement and was shocked to see that nobody had these anymore.
That's when I came across your collection - WOW! Anyway - here's a
picture of mine!
Regards,
William
Sprague April 2010
expect to pay about $100 - $125 for one in good shape
Cheesecake and strawberries expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $74.99 listing price October 2011 - didn't sell - $74.99 listing price November 2011 - didn't sell - $32.99 sold November 2011
Chinese food and chop sticks: I've seen a couple of variations expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Chocolate cake expect to pay about $30 - $50 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $50 sold August 2011 - $50 sold in November 2011
Chocolate and regular milk in a glass expect to pay about $30 - $50 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $50 sold August 2011 - $149 sold November 2011 (white milk in a glass)
Chocolate Sundae - Another one I didn't even know existed until I got an email from William Sprague. I also have a chocolate sundae as well, but it is in storage. I believe in is Hershey's Syrup pouring in the sundae glass - with whipped cream, a spoon, and a cherry. I bought them both at the a Radisson (Star Plaza Theater) in Merrillville, Indiana in the late eighties or possibly the early nineties. I always went on Halloween weekend every year to see Gallagher in the Theater and came across these in the hotel gift shop.
Regards,
William
Sprague April 2010
expect to pay about $75 - $100 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $114 sold November 2011
Cocktail and cards expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Coffee and milk: you'll see slight variations in milk cartons and cups expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $119 sold August 2011 - $125 sold November 2011
Coke bottle and glass: One of the rare ones and one of the more expensive ones due in part to the Coke tie-in and the fact most of the soda sculptures utilized cans rather than bottles. expect to pay about $150 - $200 for one in good shape
Crown Royal Bottle and glass: Looking for an image of this one. expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Spilt Gerber baby food and spoon expect to pay about $40 - $60 for one in good shape
Broken eggs expect to pay about $100 - $150 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $208 sold November 2011
Gin and Tonic: I've never seen one of these for sale. That rarity and the alcohol theme probably make this one of the more expensive sculptures. Photo courtesy of Irene Noordzij. expect to pay about $1-0 - $120 for one in good shape.
Hot dog and ketchup: Another one of the rarer offerings. I've only seen two over the years (and I own one). The bread bun doesn't look all that realistic, but the overall effect is still pretty cool. This is also one of the more expensive sculptures. expect to pay about $150 - $200 for one in good shape.
Hovering Honey Sculpture expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $46 sold December 2011
Iced tea: Yeah, same concept as the soda cans, but different enough to warrant a difference entry. expect to pay about $40 - $60 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $49.99 sold October 2011
I Love You mirror expect to pay about $40 - $60 for one in good shape
Ice cream cone expect to pay about $40 - $60 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $59 sold December 2011
Lit match Sculpture expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $72 sold August 2011
Martini & Rossi bottle and glass Sculpture expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $55 sold December 2011
Minute Maid Orange Juice Sculpture expect to pay about $100 - $125 for one in good shape
Melting Popsicles (three flavors) - I'm looking for a picture of this one. expect to pay about $75 - $100 for one in good shape)
Milk and cereal or cream: Again, you'll see slight variations in milk carton and bowl expect to pay about $100 - $125 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $75.00 listing price November 2011 - didn't sell - $125.00 sold November 2011 - $12 sold December 2011 - $99 December 2011 (high bid - owner wanted $129)
Milkshakes: expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Lit match Sculpture expect to pay about $50 - $75 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $46 sold December 2011
Paint and Brush expect to pay about $75 - $100 for one in good shape)
Paint on the wall expect to pay about $75 - $100 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $96 sold November 2011 - $102 sold November 2011
Pork and Beans: Not sure why, but this is one of my favorites. expect to pay about $40 - $60 for one in good shape
Recent eBay sales - $46 sold August 2011 - $20 sold August 2011
Salad dressing: So this one's kind of a mystery. I own one and was told that it's a one-off sculpture that was manufactured as a customer request. Quality wise it really doesn't meet the standards of a normal Frozen Moment offering. expect to pay about $100 - $120 for one in good shape
Smashed ice cream in a dish - looking for a photo of this one expect to pay about $75 - $100 for one in good shape
Spaghetti and sauce expect to pay about $50 - $70 for a copy
Recent eBay sales - $25 sold August 2011 - $31 in December 2001
Spilled iced tea expect to pay about $30 - $50 for a copy
Teacup spill: Another cool one; the angle of this one is quite clever. expect to pay about $25 - $30 for a copy
Recent eBay sales - $26 sold August 2011 - $46 sold December 2011 (coffee variant)
Toothpaste and toothbrush: I bought this one directly from Mr. Rose so this is obviously one of the original designs. expect to pay about $75 - $100 for a copy
Recent eBay sales - $36 sold November 2011
Taunt towel sculpture. expect to pay about $20 - $40 for a copy
Recent eBay sales - $12 sold December 2011
Waffle and syrup expect to pay about $75 - $100 for a copy
Recent eBay sales - $229 sold November 2011
Water faucet: My selection for one of the top three sculptures and it is major rare - I've seen one since I've been collecting and I wasn't smart enough to buy it at the time. Would love to own a copy of it. expect to pay about $75 - $100 for a copy
Whiskey bottle and glass expect to pay about $75 - $100 for a copy
Wine cooler expect to pay about $25 - $50 for a copy
By the way, there's a funny YouTube clip highlighting a Frozen Moments collectable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3c8OlKwYE4
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