A massive traffic jam on the beach made from sand
Miami Beach’s traffic has been backed up by artist Leandro Erlich. Order of Importance, his massive site-specific work, consists of 66 life-size sand statues of cars and trucks that appear to have been left on this grimy pathway. Additionally, they have merged with the environment itself. Erlich’s bizarre line-up of cars, his biggest work to yet, was created in reaction to climatic changes.
The collection of cars is intended to conjure ruins, and it appears as though we are approaching them many years after they have been destroyed. The director of the Order of Importance, Ximena Caminos, claimed that the cars conjured “an vision from a modern Pompeii.” They make comments on the increasing sea levels and implores us to think about what would happen if we don’t take action right away, such as the continued danger to coastal communities such Miami (and eventually the rest of the world). Erlich is driven to use his art to combat this environmental catastrophe. The artist’s provocative artwork provides a terrifying glimpse into what may lie ahead for humanity if we—and especially our international leaders—do not take the concerns presented by climate change seriously.
In a speech, Erlich claims that “climate change and its effects are no longer a concern of viewpoint or judgment.” “The climate catastrophe has evolved into an actual issue that demands quick fixes. As an artist, I always fight to bring this fact to people’s attention, especially the idea that we cannot shirk from our obligations to safeguard the world.
Order of Importance is on display close to the Miami Beach Convention Center through December 15, 2019, as part of Miami Art Week.
Leandro Erlich, a visual artist, constructed a gridlock on Miami Beach to draw attention to the climate catastrophe.
The enormous sand creations make a statement about the water levels rising and implores us to think about the repercussions of inaction.
