MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - An intricate art installation that’s bound to resonate with South Floridians has opened to the public in South Beach.
Sixty-six sand sculptures of cars and trucks at an imaginary standstill recast the 21st century traffic jam on the oceanfront of Lincoln Road.
The City of Miami Beach commissioned the life-size artworks from Argentinean artist Leandro Erlich, who is known for his work of combining elements such as sculpture and architecture to create surreal environments.
“It’s a poetic version of a traffic jam, and it’s open to the public in a public space,” Erlich said. “[It] addresses an issue that is linked to our relationship to the natural order, the environment and how important it is to remain in balance in order to survive.”
WATCH: A traffic jam made out of sand is on @MiamiBeachNews @ Lincoln Road. It's the work of artist Leandro Erlich and will be on display until Dec. 15. #ArtBasel 🚗🚗🚗 (🚁: @wsvn) pic.twitter.com/uOK83DF9wz
— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) December 2, 2019
The installation — named Order of Importance — was unveiled Monday and is the largest work Erlich has ever produced.
The 66 sculptures represent how modernism is going against the nature from which cars and trucks are made.
“I do believe in a democratic access to culture,” Erlich said. “I think that art is also a way to — it deals with education, and I think that this free access, by all means, there’s no ticket to pay. Actually, there’s something spontaneous about how to encounter the work. I think there’s a relevant aspect of intention of this work.”
It will remain open to the public until Dec. 15.
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