Traffic Jam Sand Sculpture

This is piece, titled "Order of Importance," that I came across when looking at the highlights from Miami Art Week last week. The artist, Leandro Erlich, wanted to focus on the imminent danger of climate change by highlighting the overuse of cars and the rising sea levels. I think what stood out to me is the stark contrast between the idyllic setting and the dark implications of the piece. The beachfront, a popular, colorful tourist destination, creates a cheerful setting. But when viewers read into the meaning of this piece, Erlich hopes they will grapple with the dismal future of the planet. The 66 sand cars are life-sized and based off real models of cars. Yet the setting is also vague and unfamiliar, and the cars blend into the environment. Erlich wanted to create a piece that is both familiar and unfamiliar--and something that makes his viewers think. The installation was funded by the City of Miami Beach.
Here's a link to read more about the background of this installation: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/03/arts/leandro-erlich-artist-Miami-Beach.html
-Sophia